It's important to get net neutrality debate right in India: Zuckerberg

Says regulatory framework needs to ensure cos are allowed to work on new models to step up internet access

Social media giant Facebook has said it's important to get the debate on net neutrality "right" in India as the country is home to the world's largest "unconnected" population.

The US-based company has faced severe criticism over its internet.org initiative. Facebook, however, has continued to defend the initiative that offers consumers free access to basic Internet services.

India has over 8 lakh users under the internet.org initiative.

Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg said the regulatory framework needs to protect net neutrality for consumers and also ensure that companies are allowed to work on new models for stepping up Internet access.

"There is this big struggle, debate in India now on how you balance these two things," he said, adding that this is an important debate as India has the most "unconnected" people. 

Zuckerberg said that connecting everyone to the Internet is a large national and global priority as it will help create jobs and elevate people from poverty. 

"I think we need to make sure the regulatory framework enables both of those things -- net neutrality protection that folks need and the ability to work on new models for (Internet) access," he said.

As part of its internet.org initiative, Facebook had partnered with telecom major Reliance Communications in India to offer free access to over 30 websites without data charges to users.

Internet.org, which has recently been rebranded as Free Basics, is now available in 20 countries.

The firm faced massive criticism for the platform as it was seen violating the principle of net neutrality, which is against any priority being accorded to an entity in the Internet traffic flow on account of payments to service providers like telecom companies.

"Let's say, we roll out Free Basics everywhere in the world and are successful. But if something goes wrong in India and we don't get the debate right and the balance isn't struck correctly, that will hold the whole world back from helping grow their economy, from all the ideas that people who don't have Internet yet," Zuckerberg said.