Facebook Zero is an initiative undertaken bysocial networking service companyFacebook in collaboration with mobile phone-basedInternet providers, whereby the providers waive data (bandwidth) charges (also known aszero-rate) for accessing Facebook on phones via a stripped-downtext-only version of itsmobile website (as opposed to the ordinary mobile website m.facebook.com that also loads pictures). The stripped-down version is available online only through providers who have entered the agreement with Facebook.[4][5][6][7] Photos are not loaded by default. Users may still choose to view them by clicking through but regular data charges apply to photo use.
Plans for Facebook Zero were first announced at theMobile World Congress in February 2010 byChamath Palihapitiya.[8] In collaboration with 50mobile operators around the world, it was officially of launched on May 18, 2010.[4] The scheme is considered zero-rated or the practice of offering free data for some services, filtering out others.[9]
The Facebook model featured a stripped-down version of the platform, which was made available to all mobile phone owners.[10] It was offered inemerging markets to address the issue of data caps. A report explained that Facebook Zero subsidized phone data for a period, allowing for free user access.[10] Facebook also provide technical assistance to partner carriers so that the process incurs low cost.[11] In some countries, Facebook Zero is offered as part of a carrier's Free Basic data plan that could include access toGoogle andWikipedia as well as localized content.[12]
Facebook Zero became controversial in some countries due to several issues such as net neutrality.[9] For instance, India's Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) bans zero-rated services on account of "discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content”.[13] A criticism also stated that Facebook is practicing digital colonialism because it is not introducing open internet but building a "little web that turns the user into a mostly passive consumer of mostly western corporate content”.[11]
An article byChristopher Mims inQuartz in September 2012 stated that Facebook Zero played a very important role in Facebook's expansion inAfrica over the 18 months following the release of Facebook Zero, noting that data charges could be a significant component of mobile usage cost and the waiving of these charges reduced a significant disincentive for people in Africa to use Facebook.[32]
Google Free Zone, a similar service launched byGoogle in November 2012, was viewed by Internet commentators as both inspired by and a potential challenge to Facebook Zero.[36][37][38][39]
TheSubsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones ofChile ruled thatzero-rating services like Wikipedia Zero, Facebook Zero, and Google Free Zone, that subsidize mobile data usage, violatenet neutrality laws and had to end the practise by June 1, 2014.[40][41]
In 2015, researchers evaluating how Facebook Zero shapesinformation and communication technology use in the developing world found that 11% of Indonesians who said they used Facebook also said they did not use the Internet. 65% of Nigerians, 61% of Indonesians, and 58% of Indians agree with the statement that "Facebook is the Internet".[42]
^Kebe, Cheikh M. F.; Gueye, Assane; Ndiaye, Ababacar; Garba, Aminata (2018).Innovations and Interdisciplinary Solutions for Underserved Areas: Second International Conference, InterSol 2018, Kigali, Rwanda, March 24–25, 2018, Proceedings. Cham: Springer. p. 64.ISBN9783319988771.
^"Google Free Zone". Google Operating System blog (not affiliated with Google). October 25, 2012.Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. RetrievedJanuary 15, 2014.
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Jordan:Zain Jordan
Albania:Telekom Albania;Vodafone Albania
Algeria:Djezzy;[14]Mobilis
Angola:Unitel S.A.
Bosnia and Herzegovina:ERONET
Bangladesh:Grameenphone
Benin:MTN Group
Cameroon:MTN Group
Canada:Freedom Mobile
Croatia:Bonbon;[15]Hrvatski Telekom;[16] MultiPlus Mobile;[17] Simpa;[18]Tomato;[19]Vipnet
El Salvador:Movistar
Fiji:Digicel
France:SFR
Germany:E-Plus[20] Ortel
Greece:WIND Hellas[21]
Georgia:MagtiCom
Guinea:MTN Group
Indonesia:XL Axiata
Kenya:Airtel Kenya
Kosovo:iPKO
Malaysia:DiGi
Morocco:Maroc Telecom
Nepal:Ncell[22]
Pakistan:Telenor Pakistan;Jazz Pakistan,Zong Pakistan[23][24][25][26]
Palestine:Jawwal[27]
Panama:Cable & Wireless Communications
Philippines:Globe Telecom,Smart,[28]
Poland:Play[29]
Qatar:Vodafone Qatar
Saudi Arabia:Saudi Telecom Company[30]
South Africa:CellC(Discontinued the service), Vodacom,MTN Group
Suriname:Digicel
Trinidad and Tobago:Digicel
Turkey: Turkcell
United Arab Emirates:Du[31]
United Kingdom:Three
Zimbabwe: Telecel Zimbabwe
Zambia: Airtel Zambia