Mark Zuckerberg says the main goal for internet.org is to connect billions of people who don’t yet have internet, and advertising can wait, according to Bloomberg.
While Zuckerberg’s main impulse seems to be charitable and dedicated to the betterment of the human race, some have not been able to help noticing that getting millions more online happens to be good for Facebook advertising. However, Zuckberg is emphasizing the main goal is to work with telecom companies to secure basic, free access to people who otherwise would not have it. For internet.org, Facebook has partnered with Samsung, Nokia, Qualcomm and others. Zuckberg told Bloomberg, “At this point, we have a sustainable model that is working in many countries right now … (we are) not trying to make ad markets of countries just coming online.”
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One surprising observation made by the Facebook founder is the biggest challenge was not to expand internet services, but that many of the potential users don’t know what to use the internet for. Perhaps Zuckerberg and company can introduce African bushmen to the magic of Farmville or Candy Crush?
Bill Gates was critical of Google’s Project Loon, which aims to expand internet access through balloons, because Gates says he feels better healthcare and basic needs are more urgent than internet use, in many countries.
