After Flipkart exited from the Airtel Zero platform. A various number of internet companies operating in India also walked away from Facebook’s internet.org initiative to provide free access to some but not all types of online information, launched in 2013, likely in the developing countries, through partnerships between Facebook and telecoms operators.
Cleartrip, along with media outlets NDTV, Newshunt, a media start-up and The Times of India group have also pulled some of its services from the initiative.
The move comes just over 2 months since Facebook made its Internet.org app available in India, in partnership with local telco Reliance Communications, as part of the social network's initiative.
Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Facebook has favored the concept of Net Neutrality and said “I think net neutrality is important to make sure network operators don't discriminate and limit access to services people want to use, especially in countries where most people are online. For people who are not on the internetthough, having some connectivity and some ability to share is always much better than having no ability to connect and share at all. That’s why programs like Internet.org are important and can co-exist with net neutrality regulations”.
Recently, US FCC Votes in favour of Net Neutrality to prevent broadband providers from separating online traffic into slow and fast lanes.
Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Monday that the government has set up a six-member committee comprising Telecom Ministry officials to examine various aspects of Net neutrality and the panel would submit its report by the second week of May.
We also support the principle of Net Neutrality, it will protect innovation and create a level playing field for the next generation of entrepreneurs and also the concept of net neutrality doesn't exist in India because without net neutrality, we will have to pay some extra amount or tax to ISPs as well. |