Mark Zuckerberg willing to work with Google on Global Internet Access

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has indicated a willingness to work with Google on Global Internet Access at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona by saying that connecting the world doesn't have to be a cutthroat competition. On being asked if Facebook's Internet.org access initiative would consider working with Google's Project Loon, Zuckerberg responded by saying, "Sure."

 He added that when the Internet.org app was launched in Zambia with Facebook's operator partner there, one of the apps was launched with Google Search as search is an important product and piece of functionality around the world, reported TechCrunch.

Facebook is also interested in testing internet services through a solar-powered plane in India and other telecom connectivity technologies it is developing. He said, "I would love to do more with them." Zuckerberg added that global internet accessibility was a social good mission for Facebook but pointed out that it must be a sustainable business for mobile carriers too. Under this, it in partnership with telecom operators is providing free access to some basic websites to customers. In India, Facebook launched internet.org with Reliance Communications.   

"Internet.org is a customer acquisition tool. There is a 40 per cent increase in data customers for operators who have turned on internet.org. The fundamental thing that we can doto help operators is to bring them more paying customers.That's the model which supports their business model and network roll out," Daniel said.

Telecom operators have been demanding that there should be revenue sharing model between web-based companies providing messaging and calling services as they invest massively on building network to provide connectivity to the people. Daniel said such demand does not "make sense at higher level. People are paying for data when they find value in Internet. We are trying to help them find value in internet."