Unsustainable to offer whole Internet for free: Zuckerberg

As the net neutrality debate rages on, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg today said "it is not sustainable to offer the whole Internet for free" but is possible for internet.org platform to give basic services without any cost.

Facebook also said that internet.org is open to all content and application developers who meet "certain guidelines". This follows criticism from free internet advocates that the social networking site was "hand-picking services" violating principles of net neutrality.
Zuckerberg, who in the past had defended internet.org, said in his video blog posted today, that the programme supports itself.

"When people use free basic services, more of them then decide to pay to access the broader Internet and this enables operators to keep offering these basic services for free. It is not sustainable to offer the whole Internet for free," he said.

But, it is sustainable to offer free basic services that are simpler, use less data and work on all low-end phones, he added.

The net neutrality debate in India was triggered after Airtel introduced an open marketing platform 'Airtel Zero' where the data charges were being borne by application developers. Facebook, which has tied up with Reliance Communications for internet.org initiative in India, too offer access 33 websites for free.

Free Internet advocates had raised objections to these platforms, saying there were in violation of net neutrality, which stands for equal treatment for all Internet traffic and any priority based on payment to service providers like telecom companies is seen as discriminatory.

Zuckerberg had earlier said principles of neutrality must co-exist with programmes like Internet.org that encouraged bringing people online.

Internet.org aims to bring 5 billion people online and has partnered mobile operators, local entrepreneurs and companies for launching the initiative across various countries, including India.

"A reasonable definition of net neutrality is more inclusive. Access equals opportunity. Net neutrality shouldn't prevent access. We need both. It's not an equal Internet if a majority of people can't participate," he said.

The goal with Internet.org is to help everyone connect and it provides free basic services starting with education, communication services like Wikipedia, job listings, HIV education and maternal health resources, he added.

"Research has shown that for every billion people who gain access to the Internet, more than 100 million people are lifted out of poverty.

"There are over 4 billion people who need to be connected. And if we can connect them, then we will raise hundreds and millions of people out of poverty," the young billionaire said.

Zuckerberg said Internet.org will work with "anyone who wants to join us". He asserted that no company paid to be included on Internet.org and neither does an operator get paid to offer these services for free.

India has the world's third largest Internet user-base after China and the US. Indian regulator TRAI's consultation paper has sought comments from public whether telecom firms can be  allowed to charge different rates for different uses of Internet data like email, Internet browsing and use of apps like Whatsapp, Viber and Sky.