UNDERSTANDING NET NEUTRALITY AND FREE BASICS

January 5, 2016

1777

These days internet and newspapers are all on net neutrality and Free Basics by Facebook. But do we know what exactly these terms mean and how much important they are in shaping our internet. If not,then don’t worry! EasyShiksha will clear all your doubts and give a clear picture on what these really mean in short.

**Online Internship with Certification**

Important Announcement – EasyShiksha has now started Online Internship Program “Ab India Sikhega Ghar Se”

What is Free basics?

First of all, it wasn’t called Free Basics until September 2015. Formerly, it was known as Internet.org.

**How EasyShiksha Internship/Training Program Works**

Free Basics is a Facebook’s non-profit initiative that aims to bring Internet connectivity to the underprivileged in developing regions. Under Free Basics, Facebook is offering a range of services for free to thousands of users.

But advocates and enthusiasts in the country are strongly encouraging users to discard Facebook’s initiative. Here where net neutrality comes into picture.

Online Certification

Online Test Series

Career Helper

EasyShiksha TV

It is around these questions that the net neutrality debate is raging across India and the world. In this article, EasyShiksha guides you through what net neutrality is, as well as the raging debate in India, while also pinpointing the developments that have taken place in this space.

What is net neutrality?

Net neutrality is the principle that individuals should be free to access all content and applications equally, regardless of the source, without Internet service providers discriminating against specific online services or websites.

In other words, it is the principle that the company that connects you to the internet does not get to control what you do on the internet.

So how does FREE BASICS violates net neutrality?

The bone that net neutrality activists have to pick with Free Basics is that it is a zero-rating platform, in that it provides free access to a limited number of services, but not to all. That it’s not bringing unlimited access to the Internet to people, but access to a very small subset of the Internet.
Free Basics users can’t access websites and services that aren’t currently approved by Facebook. This approach defeats the basic fabric of net neutrality – Facebook defends itself on this front however, saying any websites and services can apply to be a part of Free Basics, while any telecom operator can offer it to their subscribers. It has also maintained that joining up is free, and that current partners have not paid it to be part of the Free Basics platform. This doesn’t answer the question of why the platform has the concept of approval and rejection at all.

How does the regulation work?

The good thing is that Facebook doesn’t have the authority to do whatever it desires, and that authorities are taking public opinion into account before they pass a network neutrality regulation.

Empower your team. Lead the industry

Get a subscription to a library of online courses and digital learning tools for your organization with EasyShiksha

Request Now

Trai, the independent regulator of the telecommunications business in the country, regulates all Internet access in India and is seeking our opinion on whether Free Basics or any other programs should be introduced, with its latest consultation paper.

What can you do?

Trai is inviting comments on a consultation paper on “differential data pricing,” where users are charged different amounts (or not at all) depending on which app, website or service they are consuming data on.

[/sc]

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.Is the course 100% online? Does it require any offline classes too?

The following course is fully online, and hence there is no need for any physical classroom session. The lectures and assignments can be accessed anytime and anywhere through a smart web or mobile device.

Q.When can I start the course?

Anyone can choose a preferred course and start immediately without any delay.

Q.What are the course and session timings?

As this is a purely online course program, you can choose to learn at any time of the day and for as much time as you want. Though we follow a well-established structure and schedule, we recommend a routine for you as well. But it finally depends on you, as you have to learn.

Q.What will happen when my course is over?

If you have completed the course, you would be able to have lifetime access to it for future reference too.

Q.Can I download the notes and study material?

Yes, you can access and download the content of the course for the duration. And even have lifetime access to it for any further reference.

Q. What software/tools would be needed for the course and how can I get them?

All the software/tools that you need for the course would be shared with you during the training as and when you need them.

Q. Do I get the certificate in a hard copy?

No, only a soft copy of the certificate will be awarded, which can be downloaded and printed, if required.

Q. I’m unable to make a payment. What to do now?

You can try to make the payment through a different card or account (maybe a friend or family). If the problem persists, email us at info@easyshiksha.com

Q. The payment got deducted, but the updated transaction status is showing “failed”. What to do now?

Due to some technical faults, this can happen. In such a case the amount deducted will be transferred to the bank account in the next 7-10 working days. Normally the bank takes this much time to credit the amount back into your account.

Q. The payment was successful but it still shows ‘Buy Now’ or not showing any videos on my dashboard? What should I do?

At times, there may be a slight delay in your payment reflecting on your EasyShiksha dashboard. However, if the problem is taking longer than 30 minutes, please let us know by writing to us at info@easyshiksha.com from your registered email id, and attach the screenshot of the payment receipt or transaction history. Soon after verification from the backend, we will update the payment status.

Q. What is the refund policy?

If you have enrolled, and are facing any technical problem then you can request a refund. But once the certificate has been generated, we shall not refund that.

Q.Can I just enrol in a single course?

Yes! You surely can. To begin this, just click the course of your interest and fill in the details to enrol. You are ready to learn, once the payment is made. For the same, you earn a certificate too.

My questions are not listed above. I need further help.

Please contact us at: info@easyshiksha.com

If you are against Facebook’s Free Basics, you can email your comments to Trai directly at the above mentioned address or you can go to SaveTheInternet.in to quickly send a pre-written response in this regard.

ALSO READ: Birla institute of technology and science

Get Course: Data-Science Tutorial