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Facebook adjusts free internet project amid criticism

Cape Town - Facebook on Monday made clear its plan to promote its Internet.org platform as a vanguard of open access to the internet in the face of growing criticism in India.

The social network started rolling out its Internet.org project last year in Africa, Latin America and Asia. The project targets giving everyone basic internet access to selected web services via certain mobile providers.

But in India, Internet.org has faced criticism for violating the principle of treating all web traffic equally - a key concept of net neutrality.

Because Facebook's Internet.org offering provides free access to some websites and not others, the project has been questioned for violating net neutrality. Facebook has also faced criticism for only working with certain mobile networks on Internet.org.

However, in what appears to be a change in strategy, Facebook announced on Monday that the Internet.org platform would be open to all developers to "extend the benefits of connectivity to diverse, local communities".

Global access

"Almost two thirds of world has no internet access," CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg said, driving home his point that the internet's reach has not yet impacted on the majority of people.

According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), basic internet access is increasing but very slowly. Only 31.2% of households in developing countries had internet access at home in 2014, up from 27.7% in 2013.

In the developed world, that number rockets up to 78.4% with internet access, giving a global total of 43.6%.

The ITU says that in terms of mobile broadband service, just 32% have access, though this too is skewed toward the developed world (83.7% vs 21.1%).

Smartphones are growing in developing countries. (Duncan Alfreds, Fin24)

"Research has shown that for every billion people that gain access to the internet, more than 100 million are lifted out of poverty," said Zuckerberg.

Zuckerberg goes further, arguing that net neutrality should not just prevent discrimination, but also advance those who have been excluded.

"At its core net neutrality is about preventing discrimination, but our society acknowledges that preventing discrimination alone isn't enough - we also need to do even more to lift up the disadvantaged in our communities."

But Facebook hinted that Google's YouTube and even its own Instagram will not be one of the sites included on the platform.

"Operators have made significant economic investments to bring the internet to people globally, and Internet.org needs to be sustainable for operators so that they can continue to invest in the infrastructure to maintain, improve and expand their networks. Websites that require high-bandwidth will not be included. Services should not use VoIP, video, file transfer, high resolution photos, or high volume of photos," said Facebook.

In addition, while smartphones continue to grow at a rapid pace in developing countries, the platform expects that partner sites develop content that works on both high tech gadgets and feature phones.

Zuckerberg said that no companies paid to be included on the platform and Facebook itself will not display ads on Internet.org, because the intention is to get people to participate.

"It's not an equal internet if the majority of people can't participate," he said.

Do you think net neutrality is a big issue in parts of the developing world such as Africa? Tell us by clicking here.

- Follow Duncan on Twitter

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