Disappointed by India’s decision on Net Neutrality: Mark Zuckerberg

India has introduced tougher regulations to prevent Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from offering differential pricing plans to their customers to provide access to different part of the internet.

Mark Zuckerberg is understandably disappointed that Facebook’s efforts to bring India online hit a wall, but he pledges to keep fighting for Free Basics. “Internet.org has many initiatives, and we will keep working until everyone has access to the internet”, he said. The project would bring free Internet access to users in targeted areas, but just to specific websites such as Facebook, Wikipedia, the BBC and others.

“Instead of wanting to give people access to some basic internet services for free, critics of the program continue to spread false claims – even if that means leaving behind a billion people”. “Internet.org has many initiatives, and we will keep working until everyone has access to the internet”, adds Zuckerberg. Mr. Zuckerberg believes that if we connect the offline people to the Internet, we will be able to create jobs for them, provide them with education opportunities. “That mission continues, and so does our commitment to India” he concluded.

In a much-awaited decision, Indian regulators said telecommunications providers may not charge different or “discriminatory” rates for delivering different kinds of internet content.

Last month, 30 non-profit companies and net neutrality advocates in India wrote an open letter to Facebook, after TRAI paused the roll out of Free Basics. However, the company revealed that it is committed to eliminating barriers and give the unconnected an easier path to the internet.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) suspended free Facebook services until a policy decision is reached.

The ongoing Free-Basics debate has now finally been put to rest.

“Trai’s notification is in support of the government’s focus on start-up as well as penetration of internet, without compromising on access to content”, said Amresh Nandan, Research Director, Gartner. This was a big blow to Free Basics and Airtel Zero but upheld the principles of net neutrality. To them, zero-rating is poor Internet for poor people.

“And in the 21st century, everyone also deserves access to the tools and information that can help them to achieve all those other public services, and all their fundamental social and economic rights”.

Of course, Facebook is highly disappointed with the decision taken by the regulator, as it is evident from a statement released by them. “Passes strong #netneutrality rules, stands up for open Web”.