Facebook CEO Zuckerberg Says Internet.org Can Coexist With Net Neutrality

Asked about his opinion on the net neutrality implications of Internet.org providing free access to a select few "basic Internet services", Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg responded that net neutrality is important, and that it can coexist with zero-rating programmes like Internet.org.

Zuckerberg's comments are of particular interest in India right now, as a debate around net neutrality has sprung up. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is working on a consultation paper which will address the issue. Airtel meanwhile drew ire from consumers when it announced Airtel Zero, a platform through which app makers can pay Airtel to provide free data access to their apps to end users. This sparked a strongly negative reaction and raised the issue of net neutrality in the public eye.

Zuckerberg however seems to feel that this kind of plan is beneficial to users. He writes, "For people who are not on the Internet though, having some connectivity and some ability to share is always better than having no ability to connect and share at all."

This has been the general defence that people have given for Airtel Zero in India as well, but that has not been well received. However, Facebook's Internet.org, which was launched earlier in India, is essentially offering something similar, where it offers free access to only some websites on the Internet. Airtel Zero did not make the terms of its zero-ratings deals transparent, and the process that Internet.org follows to choose partners for free access are equally opaque. However, Zuckerberg merely states that providing access is why "programs like Internet.org are important and can co-exist with net neutrality regulations."

You can see his full statement below.