Internet.org is now Free Basics by Facebook

[DNA_Uncut]

source
http://internet.org/

The global social network, Facebook and a few major companies like Ericsson, MediaTek, Nokia, Opera, samsung and Qualcomm have joined hands to form what may be the future of the Internet. Internet.org is an initiative to deliver internet access to two-thirds of the world that currently does not have access to it.
The collaborative effort plans to bring down costs for deployment of such large infrastructure, By reducing the cost and amount of data required for most apps and enabling new business models, Internet.org is focused on enabling the next 5 billion people to come online.
Although, many still struggle with basic internet access, and where implementations can be a lifelong goal, its not one that cannot be achieved.
For more than 100 years, Ericsson has been enabling communications for all and today more than 6 billion people in the world have access to mobile communications,” said Hans Vestberg, President and CEO of Ericsson. “We are committed to shaping the Networked Society – where everyone and everything will be connected in real time; creating the freedom, empowerment and opportunity to transform society. We believe affordable connectivity and internet access improves people’s lives and helps build a more sustainable planet and therefore we are excited to participate in the internet.org initiative.”
“As a world leader in mobile solutions for emerging markets having powered more than 300 million smart devices within 2 years, MediaTek whole heartedly supports the internet.org initiative.” said MK Tsai, Chairman of MediaTek. “Global Internet and social media access represent the biggest shift since the industrial revolution, and we want to make it all-inclusive.”
“Nokia is deeply passionate about connecting people – to one another and the world around them,” said Nokia President and CEO Stephen Elop. “Over the years, Nokia has connected well over a billion people. Our industry is now at an exciting inflection point where Internet connectivity is becoming more affordable and efficient for consumers while still offering them great experiences. Universal internet access will be the next great industrial revolution.”
“Today, more than 300 million people use Opera every month to access the Internet. Tomorrow, we have a chance to serve the next 5 billion people connecting on mobile devices in developing countries. It’s in Opera’s DNA to save people time, money and data, and through internet.org we think we can help advance these goals.” — Lars Boilesen, CEO Opera Software.
“Mobile has helped to transform many people’s lives in the emerging regions where often a computing device will be the first and only mobile experience they’ll ever have” said Paul Jacobs, chairman of the board and CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated. “Having shipped more than 11 billion chips, Qualcomm is a market leader that is committed to the goal of bridging the digital divide. We’re pleased to be a part of internet.org and to be working with key ecosystem players to drive this initiative forward.”
“This new initiative has big potential to help accelerate access to the Internet for everyone,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of the IT & Mobile Communications Division at samsung Electronics. “We’re focused on delivering high quality mobile devices to ensure that the next five billion people have great mobile Internet experiences.”

 

[Sushubh]

They have partnered with Reliance Communications. Ignoring network neutrality.

Internet.org App Now Available in India | Facebook Newsroom

Today, Facebook and Reliance Communications are making the internet available to millions of people in India through the launch of the Internet.org app and free basic services. This is the first time the Internet.org app will be available in the region.

Reliance customers in six Indian states (Tamil Nadu, Mahararashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, and Telangana) will now have access to more than three dozen services ranging from news, maternal health, travel, local jobs, sports, communication, and local government information.

Supported sites:

Aaj Tak: Read news in Hindi
AccuWeather: Get updated weather information
amarujala.com: Read news in Hindi
AP Speaks: Engage with local government
Babajob: Search for jobs
BabyCenter & MAMA: Learn about pregnancy and childcare
BBC News: Read news from around the world
Bing Search: Find information
Cleartrip: Check train and flight schedules & buy tickets
Daily Bhaskar: Read local news
Dictionary.com: Search for meanings of words
ESPN Cricinfo: Get cricket updates
Facebook: Communicate with friends and family
Facts for Life: Find health and hygiene information
Girl Effect: Read articles and tips for girls
HungamaPlay: Listen to music
IBNLive: Read news
iLearn: Learn from Women Entrepreneurs
India Today: Read local news
Internet Basics: Learn about the basics of the Internet
Jagran: Read local news
Jagran Josh: Get education and career information
Maalai Malar: Read news in Tamil
Maharashtra Times: Read news in Marathi
Malaria No More: Learn about malaria
manoramanews.com: Read local news
Messenger: Send messages to friends and family
NDTV: Read news
Newshunt: Read news in English
OLX: Buy and sell products and services
Reliance Astrology: Read your horoscope
Reuters Market Lite: Get farming and crop information
Socialblood: Register to donate blood
Times of India: Read news
TimesJobs: Search for jobs
Translator: Translate words and phrases
Wikipedia: Find information
wikiHow: Find information

 

[Sushubh]

Want free Internet? Do philanthropy: Sunil Mittal to Mark Zuckerberg | The Financial Express

aww.

“I told him (Zuckerberg) that you are right that this (internet.org) expands the market. At the end, you must understand that we (telecom operators) need to charge you for something. SMSes have gone more or less, voice is going down and they (Facebook) recognise that,” Mittal said in a media interaction here.
“If you are going to make the data free, then let’s do completely philanthropic projects. Government must make spectrum free, there should be free network, but it is not happening,” the billionaire industrialist said, while adding that telecom companies were as such not making large money.

I really really hope Mukesh kick his arse.

 

[srk006]

^^ hah!!!

Internet.org App Comes to Kenya | Facebook Newsroom

As part of this effort, Chris announced the availability of Facebook’s Internet.org app for Airtel subscribers in Kenya later this week.

 

[Sushubh]

he could have simply said... mukesh to le raha hai. tu to mat le bhai.

 

[itzmynet]

Free Internet is like Facebook does philanthropy, but with my money: Vodafone CEO | The Indian Express

 

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[Sushubh]

Maybe now they would realize the importance of network neutrality.

 

[amish]

For them net neutrality is situational concept depending on if its taking their money or giving them money!

 

[mhsabir]

"Philanthropy using money which I obtained using ***** means" sounds more correct.

 

[Navjot Singh]

Not sure but suddenly pulling out of platforms like Airtel Zero and Internet.org is becoming a trend. So Here goes.


Source


Times Group commits to withdraw from internet.org; appeals to fellow publishers to follow suit and support net neutrality | Times Internet Corporate Blog

In the case of the group’s properties such as TimesJobs and Maharashtra Times, where its competitors are not on zero-rate platforms, these properties will pull out of internet.org. As for the Times of India itself, the group commits to withdraw from internet.org if its direct competitors – India Today, NDTV, IBNLive, NewsHunt, and BBC – also pull out.

LOL. One can always trust Times Group to act weird.

Eventually, its all good if it can force Telcos and TRAI's hands to drop the idea of going after OTT and supporting Network Neutrality.

 

[Navjot Singh]

Source

 

[Sushubh]

This is exactly like GoDaddy and SOPA. They were in support of SOPA. After consumer backlash, they suddenly woke up. Removed themselves from the supporters list and actively started protesting SOPA. We fully support network neutrality my ass.

 

[Navjot Singh]

They might not support NN but as long as they are doing what the consumer wants, I don't see the reason for another outrage.

 

[amish]

I am sure most of these companies could not get much benefit from internet.org and that is why they are pulling out. They dont really care about Net neutrality.

 

[Sushubh]

the latest excuse is that they cannot generate the funds needed to expand network for digital inclusion if they follow network neutrality strictly.

Corporate war between media house, operator confounding net neutrality debate: TRAI chief Rahul Khullar | The Indian Express

i think the government should offer to cancel their license if they cannot invest in expanding their network to meet the needs of the people. other companies should be invited to take over.