Popular social media site Facebook has launched the internet.org platform that will enable developers create services that integrate with internet .org and ta the same time offer people choice over the free basic services to use.
In a statement, Facebook’s Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg said that the core efforts of Internet.org are non-exclusive partnerships with mobile operators to offer free basic internet services to people through Internet.org. This is a set of basic websites and services to introduce people to the value of the internet that will add value to their lives.
These websites are very simple and data efficient, so operators can offer these for free in an economically sustainable way. Websites do not pay to be included, and operators don’t charge developers for the data people use for their services.
“Our goal with Internet.org is to work with as many developers and entrepreneurs as possible to extend the benefits of connectivity to diverse, local communities. To do this, we’re going to offer services through Internet.org in a way that’s more transparent and inclusive.”
“Because these services have to be specially built to these specifications, we started by offering just a few. But giving people more choice over the services they use is incredibly important and going forward, people using Internet.org will be able to search for and use services that meet these guidelines. We’re building an open platform and anyone who meets these guidelines will be able to participate,” he said.
Developers that join will need to follow three principles that were followed in building versions of Facebook and Messenger for Internet.org. These are designed to align all participants’ incentives and bring more people online.
“Participation will remain free for any developer or user.
We think these criteria will help us to connect more people faster, and add even greater value to people’s lives,” said Zuckerberg.
Guidelines for participation include explore the entire internet where the Internet.org Platform aims to give people valuable free services that they can use to discover the entire wealth of online services and, ultimately become paying users of the internet.Services should encourage the exploration of the broader internet wherever possible. There should also be efficiency where
There is need to build apps that use data very efficiently.
Final guideline is that Websites must be built to be optimized for browsing on both feature and smartphones and in limited bandwidth scenarios. In addition, websites must be properly integrated with Internet.org to allow zero rating and therefore can’t require JavaScript or SSL/TLS/HTTPS and must meet Facebook technical guidelines.