Facebook keen to expand reach in India

World's biggest social network Facebook wants to connect
more people to internet in India which accounts for the third
largest online user base globally after China and the US but
has a very low internet penetration growth rate.
On his first visit to India, Facebook CEO and co-founder
Mark Zuckerberg met Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar
Prasad to discuss expanding reach of internet including by
using alternate technology.
After an about hour long meeting, Prasad told reporters that
meeting was fruitful and Facebook has shown interest in
joining Digital India program of India.
"Connecting more than a billion people with internet is not
only going to improve lives of people in India but helping
innovation and imagination of Indian people will help turn
around the world and we are very excited in opportunities in
India," Zuckerberg said.
According to sources, Facebook requested Prasad to
establish single point contact in his ministry for the
alternate technology to which the minister immediately
agreed.
"We have dedicated some officials from my ministry to work
closely with Facebook on their proposals to expand digital
services in the country," Prasad said.
A ministry official said Joint Secretary Telecom and Joint
Secretary IT will be single point contact for Facebook for
their projects so that the modalities related to their
alternate technology is expeditiously worked out.
Facebook is also in process to launch applications on utility
services for which customer may not have to pay any
internet charges as the company is doing in Zambia in
partnership with Indian telecom major Airtel.
"Zuckerberg said that they are almost ready to launch
service as they have done in Zambia with Airtel. Minister
has assured them of full support," the official said.
Prasad has asked Facebook CEO to partner in National
Optical Fibre Network program which aim to connect 2.5
lakh village panchayats by high speed broadband by 2017
to which Zuckerberg has agreed.
"Minister asked them to play role in retailing of broadband
services once NOFN is ready. They have said that they will
build business with new entrepreneurs in the country," the
official said.
Facebook in India has over 100 million active users. The
company recently acquired mobile messaging application
WhatsApp which adds to its reach in the country.