Facebook: Free Basics is no longer available to people in India

New Delhi: “Free Basics is no longer available to people in India”, said Facebook spokesperson. The Facebook has shut down the programme ‘Free Basics’ in India following the telecom regulator TRAI’s move to bar operators from charging different rates for Internet access based on content.

In partnership with the telecom operators, the programme was aimed at providing basic Internet access to the people and it met with the severe criticism for this. According to critics, the programme violated the principles of net neutrality that entire Internet should be available to everyone on equal terms.

In an emailed response, the spokesperson of Facebook said, “Free Basics is no longer available to people in India.” It was in service with the Reliance Communication in the country and then it was put on hold by the RCom in December following a Telecom Regulator Authority of India’s directive to that effect.