Classroom Companion: Business

21.5
 Zero-Rating
Some ISPs, in collaboration with selected ASPs—such as Wikipedia and 
Facebook—offer zero-rated access to the Internet. This means that consumers get 
free Internet access, but then only for accessing selected applications or services. 
Put in another way, unlimited data volumes are provided for a specific application 
to users opting for zero-rating access. This practice is in conflict with the current 
strict definitions of net neutrality since it differentiates Internet access based on 
application—one service can be accessed for free, while another competing service 
requires paid access or are not accessible at all.
One example of zero-rating is Wikipedia Zero offering free access to Wikipedia 
on mobile devices in some countries in collaboration with selected ISPs (Russell, 
2013
). The program was launched in 2012 and provided free access to over 800 mil-
lion people, mostly in developing countries. After receiving criticism for net neu-
trality violation, Wikipedia Zero discontinued the program in 2018. In some of the 
areas where Wikipedia Zero was deployed, it was, in fact, the only choice for many 
people to access the Internet. In these countries, Wikipedia Zero became synony-
mous to the Internet. In lack of popular services such as YouTube—which was only 
available to those with a regular mobile data subscription—copyrighted material 
started to be spread via Wikipedia. This material was mostly removed by Wikipedia 
editors; however, it also meant that these editors collectively became a central force 
in deciding what should be available on the Internet through Wikipedia Zero.
Another example of zero-rating is Facebook Zero, a program providing free 
access to Facebook. Launched in 2010, it currently provides free access to Facebook 
in collaboration with selected ISPs in more than 30 countries, both developed and 
developing countries. In Nigeria, Indonesia, India, and Brazil, where the Facebook 
Zero program is available, more than 50% of the people believe “Facebook is the 
Internet” (Mirani, 
2015
). Compared to Wikipedia Zero, Facebook Zero is more 
questionable from a net neutrality viewpoint. This is because Facebook is a com-
mercial service and not a nonprofit service like Wikipedia. Providing free access to 
Facebook changes the competition in the social media market and may further 
increase Facebook’s dominating position in this market.