Facebook opens to more mobile operators to sign up to internet.org

Facebook has announced that it is making it easier for any mobile operator to sign up to internet.org to offer free internet access to basic online services marking the one-year anniversary.

According to The Verge, Internet.org began with initial launches in Africa, but it has since expanded to cover 17 countries, including large populations like Pakistan, India and Indonesia across three continents.

Facebook is now trying to persuade more mobile operators to join the program, announcing a dedicated portal through which operators can sign up.

Facebook also courting them with statistics like Internet.org brings new users onto mobile networks on average over 50 percent faster after launching free basic services and more than half are paying for data and accessing the internet within the first 30 days suggesting that Internet.org can not only change people's lives, but improve operators' bottom lines.

Internet.org has attracted plenty of criticism for violating the principles of net neutrality. Internet.org is often accused of allowing access to only preferred websites

Facebook said in its blog post that its goal was to work with as many mobile operators and developers as possible to extend the benefits of connectivity.