Facebook and the White House are discussing on putting up free Internet access all throughout the United States. The effort has been proposed by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, in line with the social media mogul's advocacy of providing free web access across the world.
Washington Post reports that Zuckerberg and company plan to initiate "Free Basics." Should it pass the U.S. regulatory scrutiny, it can provide Internet access to over 300 million Americans.
Facebook's "Free Basics" is also reported to be a project directly aimed to poor mobile users who cannot access the Internet. To make it possible, "Free Basics" will be made as a simplified version of Facebook and other apps like Encarta and AccuWeather, which will be powered by mobile carriers.
Facebook will not necessarily earn from "Free Basics" and instead, mobile carriers are tasked to offer data in order to expand the simplified and limited usage. Also, Zuckerberg's company will not be paying the carriers to offer "Free Basics."
This is not the first time Facebook "Free Basics" has been introduced. In fact, per a CBS News report, Zuckerberg has already launched it in other territories like India, Philippines and Kenya.
Here are the facts you need to know about #FreeBasics. Read and share these facts. #FreeBasicsFacts pic.twitter.com/ld0cO4poyT
— Free Basics (@Free_Basics) December 24, 2015
However, Facebook's "Free Basic" has been short-lived in the largely densed Asian country because of limitation concerns. Nonetheless, during a talk Zuckerberg made last February in Spain as reported by CBS News anew, he said that "Facebook isn't a company that hits a roadblock and gives up." Hence, the introduction to more countries.
Currently, Facebook "Free Basics" has touchbase a total of 49 countries. It is a part of Zuckerberg's advocacy, Internet.org, where his main goal is to provide Internet access. The social media big boss believes that Internet--even through Facebook---can make the world easily connected and productive.
Do you agree with Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg's idea? Sound off through the comment section below!
