Facebook has partnered with Reliance Communications with the purported aim of providing Internet access to those who find the costs of mobile data too high (“ >Access at the cost of Net neutrality ,” Oct.8). For about 80 per cent of Indians, accessing the Net even in its most basic form is a dream. The barriers, apart from lack of affordability, include: lack of infrastructure, perceived lack of need, linguistic barriers and illiteracy. If Facebook and Reliance truly want to provide access to the under-served, why not consider providing them with a certain data package every month/week and let them use it the way they wish? Net neutrality is crucial for innovation, without which we may not have more companies like Google and Facebook.
Najibullah Adamji,
New Delhi
We are a nation where Internet penetration is only about 15 per cent; this at a time when the government is planning a ‘Digital India’ campaign. So, the government can surely encourage initiatives like those started by Facebook and Airtel for a limited period of time. It is time to move away from idealism to pragmatism.
Vivek Rayal,
Rishikesh
