Comment by mehrdada
10 years ago
> the facts on the ground are 80% of Indians do not have internet access
The facts on the ground for everywhere in the world not too long ago was worse than 20% access to the Internet. And I bet the current 20% Indian Internet users have much much faster connections than dial-up.
Things change. Fast. It is disingenuous to ignore the natural connectivity growth trajectory and focus on today's number only. Most will get connected to the Internet, with or without Facebook's "help" soon. The danger is with Facebook's "help", they'll get connected to FBNet (Free Basics Network, aka ZuckNet), diverting them away from connecting to the real Internet.
Absolutely. I have been living in Cambodia for quite a while now, and despite overall adoption still being just above India's, connectivity is exploding here too.
"Internet use in Cambodia grew a staggering 414 per cent since January 2014"
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/cambodians-flock-net
It's exciting to see. Most people in Phnom Penh have a smart phone, and I meet more and more full-fledged computer nerds and Cambodian programmers all the time. I have no doubt that Cambodia will be fully connected within 5 or max 10 years, without the "help" of Facebook.
This is a repeat of AOL's playbook in the US in the 90's. Sure the internet existed and the web was around, but they were more interested in pushing their curated online service.
I know, it's terrible. AOL took control of the internet, closed it off to all but the highest bidders, and is holding back progress.
Oh wait...