[pycassa]

$2 for you monthly is cheap. but not for people being targeted by facebook.

People don't even recharge their phones so that they can do voice calls. people like farmers who buys some low end feature phone but wont top up so that they can call others, instead they just load some songs in their low end phones and chill sleeping in their farms. Similarly I can see people who buy phones but wont topup their internet monthly thinking there is no use or not worth it.

facebook wanting to provide free internet for people already having smart phones or internet enabled phones is not without basis..

I got my uncle a smartphone.. he fills data once in some 3-4 months.. and pings me in whatsapp.. hi hello tata bye bye see you.. and does the same thing after 3-4 months.

These are all anecdotal experiences.. but I also would like to see some related stats..

[dhawalhs]

This is where Facebook messaging and actual the Free Basics program are at odds. Free basics is basically 30+ websites which includes Facebook.

Whatsapp is not a part of free basics. Your uncle would have to buy a special'Whatsapp upgrade' if he wanted to message you on Whatsapp.

It's a clear violation of Net Neutrality principles and Facebook spent over $40 million trying to lobby for this to happen.

[tamana]

Net neutrality applies when your network provider holds destinations hostage. It doesn't apply when the destination volunteers to pay for your connectivity.

[fwn]

You accidentally approached the net neutrality mindset from an utility maximizing point of view.

A central premise of its advocats is that net neutrality is a value on its own. (More like a natural right.) Therefore, utility arguments that might favor a position in disagreement with netneutrality don't apply simply on a value basis.

That's probably the reason you got downvoted.

edit: There do exist a lot of utility arguments in favor of net neutrality. But most advocats use them as parallel constructs for their deeper reason of believe. A simple emotional test one could exercise: If you can not construct a case in which the violation of net neutrality could lead to a greater overall benefit, your position is probably more a believe than a result of rational consideration.