Free Basics service connects over a million people in India: Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook

NEW DELHI: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that over a million people have access to Internet as a result of Free Basics service, which was earlier known as Internet.org.

Internet.org is currently providing internet access to 15 million people in 24 countries.

“I have seen some cynical reporting saying it isn't working as good. But if that isn't good I'd like to know what you think is? Internet growth rate is twice as much with Internet.org. This is a program that's working around the world, it works and it will connect more people,” Zuckerberg said at the company's Townhall Q&A at IIT Delhi on Wednesday answering question on net neutrality.

Zuckerberg added that Internet.org is aimed at "breaking down barriers to availability, affordability, and awareness."

Internet.org org will be made more widely available with solar-powered planes to beam down connectivity, he said, adding that Facebook also plans to put satellites in space to provide Internet connectivity.

Zuckerberg added Free Basics allows people to access basic utilities like education, job listings, basic communications, Wikipedia, and tools. "We've found that half of the users who use Free Basics become full paying customers," he said.

The company is also investing in new ways to bring connectivity, Zuckerberg said. “For affordability, we are much focused that our apps use less data. Today Facebook uses 1/10th the data than it used to,” he added.