TRAI tells RCom to put Facebook's Free Basics service on hold - Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked Reliance Communications to halt the Free Basics service of Facebook, at least for some time.

A senior government official told TOI, "We have asked them (Reliance Communications) to stop it and they have given us a compliance report that it has been stopped."

Reliance Communications is Facebook's only telecom partner in India to provide a set of basic internet services free to its subscribers. The service is called Free Basics. Earlier known by name internet.org, Free Basics has been condemned by several experts as being against the spirit of net neutrality.

TRAI is yet to form an opinion if Free Basics follows the standard of net neutrality.

Facebook has also been advertising the Free Basics platform very aggressively, especially as TRAI has demanded comments for working out directions on the differential pricing option. However, there is a stiff opposition building up against its campaigns as activists are advising subscribers to oppose the measure while giving comments on Trai's consultation paper.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly shielded the platform, saying that it aims to connect those who have not been able to get access to the internet. The platform has been opposed by activists in India as well, including savetheinternet.in, with many writing to Zuckerberg and TRAI against its continuity in the present form.

Apart from the telecom regulator, a parliamentary committee is also deciding recommendations on net neutrality, which should also deal with the issues around zero-rated platforms such as Free Basics.