Facebook keen to expand reach in India

World's biggest social network Facebook wants to connect more people to Internet in India which accounts for the third largest online user base globally after China and the US.

Facebook CEO and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, met Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday to discuss expanding reach of internet including by using alternate technology.

Prasad said that Facebook has shown interest in joining Digital India program of India.
"Connecting more than a billion people with internet is not only going to improve lives of people in India but helping innovation and imagination of Indian people will help turn around the world and we are very excited in opportunities in India," Zuckerberg said.

It was learnt that Facebook requested Prasad to establish single point contact in his ministry for the alternate technology to which the minister immediately agreed.

"We have dedicated some officials to work closely with Facebook on their proposals to expand digital services in the country," Prasad said.

Facebook is in process to launch applications on utility services for which customer may not have to pay any internet charges as the company is doing in Zambia in partnership with Indian telecom major Airtel.