Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has again defended his Internet.org initiative against accusations it violates net neutrality, as the free Web service went live in Indonesia in partnership with local operator Indosat.
From Monday, customers of Ooredoo-owned Indosat who are signed up to an IM3 or Mentari prepaid plan, or a Matrix postpaid plan, can download the Internet.org application from the Google Play store, giving them access to a raft of local and international Web content without incurring data charges.
Accuweather, Ask.com and Wikipedia are accessible via the app, as are local news providers Merdeka.com and KapanLagi. Customers can also keep up with sport through Bola.net and check employment opportunities on Jobstreet. Online education resources, e-commerce, and entertainment services are also available, as is Facebook, of course.
"This partnership will contribute to bringing more of Indonesia’s communities online and help people to achieve their aspirations for a better tomorrow," said Nasser Marafih, CEO of Ooredoo, in a statement.
Internet.org is a Facebook-led initiative designed to bring free access to certain basic Internet sites and services in developing markets in order to encourage Internet uptake.
Its launch in Indonesia comes amid a public backlash against Internet.org in India, where it launched in February.
Last week, several major Indian media companies withdrew from Internet.org fo llowing accusations that it contravenes the principle of net neutrality by encouraging consumers to access only the online services that are free to use. They also claim it creates a two-tier Internet where those who can afford to pay will get unfettered access to the Web while those who cannot will be limited to whichever services are available from Internet.org.
"Net neutrality is not in conflict with working to get more people connected," insisted Zuckerberg, in a blog post last week. "These two principles — universal connectivity and net neutrality — can and must coexist."
He repeated the argument that a free, basic Web service is preferable to no services at all.
"Eliminating programmes that bring more people online won’t increase social inclusion or close the digital divide, it will only deprive all of us of the ideas and contributions of the two thirds of the world who are not connected."
