Facebook's Free Basics: Free in India?

內容大綱
In February 2015, Facebook’s Free Basics platform was launched in India by Internet.org, a partnership between Facebook and six mobile service and device companies. The platform was meant not only to enable Internet access on a smartphone but also to deliver low-cost Internet connectivity to the masses. Internet.org had already successfully launched Free Basics for a population of eight million people in nine countries across Asia, Africa, and South America. In India, however, the platform was not well received by a few eminent corporations and, more importantly, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. The launch of Free Basics stirred a nationwide debate about whether Internet.org was trying to control Internet services in India, creating an imbalance among the existing telecom service providers and causing a disproportionate development of business opportunities. Would Free Basics succeed in its goal, or would it be banned across India?
學習目標
This case is suitable for post-graduate level courses on e-business, operations, strategy, information systems, and digital marketing. After completion of this case, students will be able to<br><br><br><ul><li>discuss the impact of innovative approaches like Free Basics on the digital business industry of developing countries;</li><br><li>discuss what changes should be made by Facebook in the Free Basics platform and/or by countries in the definition of net neutrality to make the proposition feasible and viable;</li><br><li>discuss the fast-changing landscape of Internet penetration in India; and</li><br><li>discuss why Facebook’s Free Basics platform was acceptable in other developing countries but not in India.</li></ul>
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