Surfing free on mobile internet!

The much-talked-about free mobile internet was launched in Bangladesh Sunday, which can connect digital-poor to the information superhighway.
Facebook-led internet.org, a global non-profit platform, in association with Robi Axiata Ltd and ICT ministry launched the free data services in the country.
Initially, only Robi's subscribers will enjoy the facility as the operator has joined the initiative.
State minister of ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak launched the service at a city hotel as chief guest, where ICT secretary Shyam Sunder Sikder, director of global operator partnerships Facebook  Markku Makelainen,  Robi's CEO Supun Weerasinghe, and the company's COO Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, among others, attended the inaugural ceremony.
Initially, internet.org will allow access to around 25 basic internet websites for free including government information, job postings, e-commerce, educational information, women's health, emergency contacts, weather updates and news.   
The junior minister said access to internet has become the 6th basic right for citizens after food and education across the world.
He said the government is working to reach Upazilas by June this year with the fiber optical network.
Regarding the free mobile internet, Mr Palak said although Robi subscribers will get the browsing facilities, other operators are also will join the platform soon.
Mr Sikder said along with the internet connection, now cyber security issue has also become a major threat to the nation.
"We should seriously think about the data protection measures," the senior secretary told the function.
He added the government will form a cyber security council, which is supposed to work for information protection.
Mr Makelainen said Bangladesh is the 10th nation that has got the free internet opportunity.
In reply to a question, the senior official of the internet.org said, they are very cautious about ensuring privacy of the users' information.
He said they won't share a single piece of information, even with the government. "We will maintain the privacy of the users as the standards Facebook maintains," the official noted.
Mr Ahmed, of Robi, said it will certainly help in promoting the use of internet in the society, which is a pre-requisite to realising the government's vision of digital Bangladesh.
He, however, said that only internet connection isn't enough to seize the digital benefits, necessary internet contents should also be developed.  
Regarding the services policy, the Robi official said if customers want to get services beyond the free option access video content, they will receive a notification about data fees.
Customers can choose a data pack while using internet.org.  However, if one doesn't have a data pack and doesn't wish to buy one but still wants to access video content then charges will be applicable to on usage, the official added.
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