Free Basics - Nothing is Free!

Free Basics, a program initiated by Facebook, which aims to provide free access to basic internet services to a billion people all over the world!
It sounds really simple and definitely a great step in connecting people.

But the moment you start asking "HOW", it starts getting murkier, some Internet pundits are calling it as Walled-Garden and some saying its against Net Neutrality;
Facebook on the other hand is providing its own justification.

No matter what justification is provided, i have to agree with the pundits here that "Free Basics" should NOT be accepted in its current state.

I ain't a master, when it comes down to the technical explanation about Free Basics and how it works, but have some basic understanding.

Let me introduce you one of my real life experience, which can very well be aligned to the concept of "Free Basics".

One fine day, while we (I and my wife) were strolling on the streets of Melbourne; we came across a auction shop holding auction on household, electronic items and other items, there was a sales guy who was promising cheap and free items.

There were quite a few people there, so we decided to have a look (we were the newbie to this world of Auction)
The auction started, the sales guys gave few freebies and within minutes we got free items ~as promised by the guy.
We had to shell some from our pockets for the cheap stuffs.
After the big ticket was auctioned, we went out of the store, did a  quick math and found that what we got was peanuts or maybe less in return; as compared to what we paid.

In Zuckerberg's concept of Free Basic, [Read here Zuckerberg's impassioned op-ed in TOI ]
He has hit the emotional button and gave an example of farmer Ganesh (a newbie to Internet)
In my example, we were Ganesh (a newbie to Auction);

Ganesh uses Free Basics which offers Free items, whereas in my example the auction store was Free Basics which offered Free items.

The salesman of the auction store can be related to RCom (telcos) which is partnering FB in India for Free Basics.

According to Zuckerberg; Ganesh benefits from Free Basics; Agreed - We also benefited from auction store.
But question is; Was it really worth?
We need to focus on other side of the coin - The Loss!

The most important thing to note is, even without our knowledge (subconscious influence) we spent from our pockets, for getting the so-called cheap and free items;
Similarly with Free Basics even though it claims to be free, you may not know where and what you are being charged!

People can argue that auction is Legit and the auction guy didn't force us to shell out, but the point is Auction offered free and cheap stuffs, which Free Basics is offering as well..
we risk of differential charging from Telcos which end users may or may not be aware of!

Furthermore, with Free Basics monetary loss is secondary, but providing restricted information, reducing Internet experience and Telcos acting as gatekeepers (monopoly) is dangerous.

Like what Tim Berners-Lee rightly said:
               "Something Which is Branded Internet, it's not Internet"

Talking about data:
Today, there are nearly 1 billion websites. If we consider that there are 3.5 billion users of the Internet, 1 out of 3.5 such users also offers content or services.
All this would stop if the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or telecom companies (telcos) are given the right to act as gatekeepers.

If I were to draw an analogy, a perfect example would be:
Marriage/function halls has tie up with catering(s); customers are bound to choose from them, this leaves them with very limited option.

India, has shown a lot of restrain against Free Basics.
Sensing the market loss, Facebook immediately started “Save Free Basics” campaign. The message that was manifested such, as if "India was in Danger and was on the verge of being considered as Under Developed."
Below is the snippet of the message.

Considering the imminent threat, some of my Patriot friends, immediately pushed the Send Email button.  - Yeah We Support!

Well, its not only India, but Egypt has also banned Free Basics!

Let me not be cynical about "Free Basics", but accepting it, with its current state raises concerns.
This is definitely a good step forward in connecting people and joining the world, but certainly not the best way.
The best way forward is to have an open, honest conversation about the pros and cons, discussing and securing the loopholes.
Honestly for me, if I were to define Free Basics in one sentence it would be
               "Free में basically कुछ नहीं  है" (Nothing is Free)

I started my post with one more terminology: Net Neutrality, this can be simply explained as follows:
           People can voice concerns for  Facebook's Free Basics on Facebook! 
This is power of Net Neutrality, which Free Basics threaten to take away - Not immediately, but eventually.

What can you do?
If you feel Free Basics is NOT good, then you can show your support to Net Neutrality by visiting http://www.savetheinternet.in/
TRAI has issued another consultation paper asking once again, if we want Net Neutrality. This time, it's about differential pricing - Airtel Zero and Free Basics/Internet.org type services.

Should you wish to take action, please note the new deadline is 7th Jan 2016