Access to internet and awareness of its benefits is key to getting the next billion online: Zuckerberg
Updated: Oct 30, 2015 02:21:29pm
New Delhi, Oct 30 (KNN) Highlighting that India remains a very important market for Facebook, Facebook chief Mark Zukerberg said India is home to the 3rd largest internet user population (300 million) in the world, yet paradoxically, it also hosts the largest unconnected population (1 billion) to the internet.
Zuckerberg, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Facebook, during his visit to Delhi, met with Members of Parliament, policy makers, economists, industry representatives and public intellectuals, at a roundtable discussion hosted by FICCI today.
The prominent issues that emerged at the discussions related to bringing the next billion online.
Discussions revolved around the challenges and opportunities, as the next billion citizens across the world seek access to internet.
Currently of the 7 billion citizens in the world, nearly 3.2 billion have access to internet, according to the ITU. Of the remaining 4 billon, a billion citizens aspiring access to the internet reside in India.
Zuckerberg highlighted that India remains a very important market for Facebook as it is not only the second biggest market but also because one billion of the nearly 4 billion unconnected users live here.
India is home to the 3rd largest internet user population (300 million) in the world, yet paradoxically, it also hosts the largest unconnected population (1 billion) to the internet. He highlighted that nearly 15 million people have access to internet as a result of Facebook’s efforts in 24 nations.
Amongst the issues that were discussed, were the role of technology, regulation and policy in accelerating access to the internet. Discussions also revolved around social media and eGovernance. The Members of Parliament discussed specific issues and concerns relating to Net Neutrality and Zero Rating, as well as Internet.Org and Free Basics.
The policy makers highlighted that the government flagship programs like Digital India, Smart Cities and Start-up India, Stand-up India focus on providing and improving the access to people and that it is very important that this access is available equitably to all.
Zuckerberg responded to most of the queries while expressing his deep commitment to India and to the issue of affordable access for the next billion citizens, nearly 250 million of which will come from India.
He stated that, amongst all the countries in the world, India with a billion unconnected has the best possibility of aligning a best in class regulatory environment to ensure access to its citizens. No single country can boast of such an opportunity.
For the next unconnected billion citizens, not only physical access but an appreciation of how internet benefits their life, will be the key to getting them online. Facebook stands ready to play its rightful role in this space. (KNN Bureau)
Zuckerberg, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Facebook, during his visit to Delhi, met with Members of Parliament, policy makers, economists, industry representatives and public intellectuals, at a roundtable discussion hosted by FICCI today.
The prominent issues that emerged at the discussions related to bringing the next billion online.
Discussions revolved around the challenges and opportunities, as the next billion citizens across the world seek access to internet.
Currently of the 7 billion citizens in the world, nearly 3.2 billion have access to internet, according to the ITU. Of the remaining 4 billon, a billion citizens aspiring access to the internet reside in India.
Zuckerberg highlighted that India remains a very important market for Facebook as it is not only the second biggest market but also because one billion of the nearly 4 billion unconnected users live here.
India is home to the 3rd largest internet user population (300 million) in the world, yet paradoxically, it also hosts the largest unconnected population (1 billion) to the internet. He highlighted that nearly 15 million people have access to internet as a result of Facebook’s efforts in 24 nations.
Amongst the issues that were discussed, were the role of technology, regulation and policy in accelerating access to the internet. Discussions also revolved around social media and eGovernance. The Members of Parliament discussed specific issues and concerns relating to Net Neutrality and Zero Rating, as well as Internet.Org and Free Basics.
The policy makers highlighted that the government flagship programs like Digital India, Smart Cities and Start-up India, Stand-up India focus on providing and improving the access to people and that it is very important that this access is available equitably to all.
Zuckerberg responded to most of the queries while expressing his deep commitment to India and to the issue of affordable access for the next billion citizens, nearly 250 million of which will come from India.
He stated that, amongst all the countries in the world, India with a billion unconnected has the best possibility of aligning a best in class regulatory environment to ensure access to its citizens. No single country can boast of such an opportunity.
For the next unconnected billion citizens, not only physical access but an appreciation of how internet benefits their life, will be the key to getting them online. Facebook stands ready to play its rightful role in this space. (KNN Bureau)
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