Facebook's Free Internet Plan

Facebook's Free Internet Plan Barred Under New Indian Rules

India introduced new rules on Monday to prevent Internet service providers from having different pricing policies for accessing different parts of the web, in a setback to Facebook's plan to roll out a pared-back free Internet service to the masses.

The new rules by the regulator came after a two-month long consultation process that saw Facebook launching a big advertisement campaign in support of its Free Basics program, that runs in more than 35 developing countries around the world.

The program offers pared-down Internet services on mobile phones, along with access to the company's own social network and messaging services, without charge.