Indian Government Bans Facebook’s 'Free Basics' In Win For Net Neutrality

[Lucian Armasu]

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India banned Facebook's "Free Basics" service along with other zero-rated service in a win for net neutrality supporters.

Indian Government Bans Facebook’s 'Free Basics' In Win For Net Neutrality : Read more

 

[ScrewySqrl]

hooray for India. Very smart move, even if it does increase the cost and time to get everyone in india connected.

 

[ArynBergman]

No not hooray for India. Without an equivalent alternative, the bulk of that additional cost and time will be burdened by the poor with their lives and misfortunes.

 

[Gam3r01]

Someone has to draw the line at some point.
If they let this issue slide, then more similar issues would slide as well.
"A dam isn't of any use if its full of holes"

 

[rayrm]

That isn't an issue. The whole country is pretty much connected. The illiterate and the farmers and the likes aren't the ones connected and they really have no use of it either..unlike how Zuckerberg tried to convince the world.

 

[alextheblue]

It's a win for wireless providers, that's for sure.

 

[bit_user]

No not hooray for India. Without an equivalent alternative, the bulk of that additional cost and time will be burdened by the poor with their lives and misfortunes.

Google will probably fly in some balloons and provide better service than Facebook would've.

Ideally, Google would work with the Indian government and telcos to help them setup more cost-effective and faster internet, rather than trying to do everything, themselves.

 

[Jim90]

"With Facebook as a gatekeeper"

I think that's the problem in a nutshell !!

 

[chimera201]

The article doesn't mention one thing. Facebook Inc. has spent as much as Rs.300 crore on advertising its Free Basics campaign in the country. That's about 44 million USD. Now only if they had spent it on actually upgrading network connectivity in India .

 

[gggplaya]

That isn't an issue. The whole country is pretty much connected. The illiterate and the farmers and the likes aren't the ones connected and they really have no use of it either..unlike how Zuckerberg tried to convince the world.

Wow, this is quite literally the dumbest thing i've ever heard. So basically, just because someone is on the lower caste system, they shouldn't be allowed to use free facebook or a few predetermined but popular webpages???

Chinese made tablets are dirt cheap these days, about $50 for a 7". Even some of the poorest families can save up to buy one. Several buildings in the community have telephone and cable, like the school for instance. They could set up a wifi router in these buildings or a central courtyard and offer completely free but limited internet to the community. At the very least they can stay in touch with friends and relatives via facebook.

You live a middle class lifestyle, with food, clothing, shelter and whatever else. While other people live in dirt homes with no floors, and you want them to stay backwards to satisfy your own ideals???? You need to get out more, live travel to poor countries and see what it's like.

 

[Jim90]

Rayrm: " The illiterate and the farmers and the likes aren't the ones connected and they really have no use of it either"

--> there are no words in any language to describe the stupidity of what you just said, even at the most basic of human levels. Astonishing!

 

[DylanB123]

What's the optimal pH my <insert crop here> grows in? What's the trading price on <insert crop here> at different locations? Where can I get a loan to expand my farm? Are there any ladies in the area signed up with FarmersOnly.com?

...nothing a farmer would want on the internet.

 

[gggplaya]

What's the optimal pH my <insert crop here> grows in? What's the trading price on <insert crop here> at different locations? Where can I get a loan to expand my farm? Are there any ladies in the area signed up with FarmersOnly.com?

...nothing a farmer would want on the internet.

Yea, and poor third world farmers don't have like 40 kids to help them work the land either. They really don't care what happens to them after they grow up and leave town, they just need them to work. 😉

 

[bit_user]

NeilBlake voted down for this answer February 9, 2016 1:06:44 AM

abbadon_34 voted down for this answer February 8, 2016 10:38:21 PM

Google haters or Facebook lovers? Neither bothered to comment, so... you decide.