A year has passed since the first time Facebook ran the
Internet.org in Zambia, Africa. During this year, Internet.org has spread in 17
countries on three continents, and has managed to provide free Internet access
to more than one billion people.
Although quite successful, Internet.org still receives
criticisms from some parties. One topic that's most often associated with
Internet.org is the net neutrality, which many groups consider that Facebook is
not neutral because it only cooperates with certain mobile network operators.
Entering the second year of Internet.org, Facebook comes
with a new solution. A new portal for mobile network operators is officially
introduced. The goal is that all mobile network operators could contribute to
provide Internet access to all regions.
Thus, it can be said that now Internet.org is open to all
operators, which would provide opportunities for the broader range of free
internet access. In the portal, Facebook will list all the technical
requirements that need to be prepared by an operator to start providing basic
Internet services for free.
In the same occasion, Facebook also proudly announces the
specific accomplishment that has been achieved by Internet.org. The program is
believed to increase the adoption level of Internet services 50 percent faster,
and in a period of about 30 days, more than half of prospective new users
apparently decide to buy a data package to expand their access to the Internet.
This proves that Internet.org doesn’t only give benefit for the users but also
mobile network operators to bring a lot of new customers.