Facebook Reveals The Internet.org Platform – A Framework To Help Connect The Globe

Just over 2 years ago Facebook announced Internet.org, a service aimed at increasing connectivity in developing countries with the goal of connecting all citizens. Today Facebook is going a set further with an Internet.org open development platform that will be free for any users or developer.

The goal of the Internet.org Platform is simple: to facilitate the creation of free basic services. These should be non-exclusive to specific mobile operators and simple in nature. Facebook won’t be running ads within the platform, companies need not pay to be included, and operators won’t charge developers for the data people use for the services.

In order to participate developers must meet three criteria:

• Help others explore the internet
  Developers should help bring a valuable service to users that “encourage the exploration of the broader internet wherever possible.”
• Efficient services
  These apps need to be efficient in order to be economically sustainable. Developers will need to create services that are not data intensive to be included.
• Technical compliance
  Sites and services should be optimized for use on feature and smartphones in limited bandwidth areas. A full technical guide has also been created.

For more information, see the official Internet.org Platform.