<p>Stating that Internet cannot be the monopoly of a few, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Tuesday slammed Facebook's Free Basics plan and said such differential pricing modes are "plainly not acceptable".<br /><br /></p>.<p>The minister said the Trai's order on differential pricing for data services has enhanced India's image in the Net community world over and established its maturity.<br /><br />"We are expanding digital India across the country, and taking extraordinary steps to empower people through technology to create a knowledge economy. The very concept of differential pricing on data, whether it is Free Basics or any other mode, is plainly not acceptable," Prasad said.<br /><br />Backing net neutrality, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) barred operators from charging different rates for Internet access based on content, dealing a blow to Facebook's controversial Free Basics projects.<br /><br />"I have been holding this view since the day I became minister. I fully welcome TRAI’s tariff order which has enhanced the image of India in the Net community world over and establishes our maturity," he added.<br />DH News Service</p>
<p>Stating that Internet cannot be the monopoly of a few, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Tuesday slammed Facebook's Free Basics plan and said such differential pricing modes are "plainly not acceptable".<br /><br /></p>.<p>The minister said the Trai's order on differential pricing for data services has enhanced India's image in the Net community world over and established its maturity.<br /><br />"We are expanding digital India across the country, and taking extraordinary steps to empower people through technology to create a knowledge economy. The very concept of differential pricing on data, whether it is Free Basics or any other mode, is plainly not acceptable," Prasad said.<br /><br />Backing net neutrality, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) barred operators from charging different rates for Internet access based on content, dealing a blow to Facebook's controversial Free Basics projects.<br /><br />"I have been holding this view since the day I became minister. I fully welcome TRAI’s tariff order which has enhanced the image of India in the Net community world over and establishes our maturity," he added.<br />DH News Service</p>
