More than anything, Mark Zuckerberg must feel sadness over India's decision to temporarily ban Facebook's Free Basics free Internet service last week.
But that doesn't mean the Facebook CEO is going to go down without trying to further educate and implore to the country why Free Basics can be a bridge to a full Internet in India.
Zuckerberg did just that Monday, pushing his pen in writing an op-ed piece for the Times of India. In his column, Zuckerberg stresses that India must choose facts over fiction to connect a billion people to the Internet in the country.
"We know that when people have access to the internet they also get access to jobs, education, healthcare, communication," Zuckerberg wrote. "We know that for every 10 people connected to the internet, roughly one is lifted out of poverty. We know that for India to make progress, more than 1 billion people need to be connected to the internet. That's not theory. That's fact."
"Another fact — when people have access to free basic internet services, these quickly overcome the digital divide," he continued. "Research shows that the biggest barriers to connecting people are affordability and awareness of the internet. Many people can't afford to start using the internet. But even if they could, they don't necessarily know how it can change their lives."
He added that Facebook has already connected 15 million people online via Free Basics.
"So the data is clear. Free Basics is a bridge to the full internet and digital equality," he said later in the op-ed column. "Data from more than five years of other programs that offer free access to Facebook, WhatsApp and other services shows the same."
Zuckerberg added: "If we accept that everyone deserves access to the internet, then we must surely support free basic internet services. That's why more than 30 countries have recognized Free Basics as a program consistent with net neutrality and good for consumers. Who could possibly be against this?"
His thoughts come in response to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) decision last week to temporarily ban Free Basics to look into whether it poses any threat to Internet neutrality and if phone carriers should be allowed to charge customers varying prices for different website content.
"We've heard legitimate concerns in the past, and we've quickly addressed those. We're open to other approaches and encourage innovation. But today this program is creating huge benefits for people and the entire internet ecosystem," Zuckerberg said. "There's no valid basis for denying people the choice to use Free Basics, and that's what thousands of people across India have chosen to tell TRAI over the last few weeks."
He added: "Choose facts over false claims. Everyone deserves access to the internet. Free basic internet services can help achieve this. Free Basics should stay to help achieve digital equality for India."
Do you think the ban on Free Basics will be lifted and the service will be restored in India soon?
