Social networking giant Facebook is rebranding its Internet.org programme, which was in the middle of a controversy over alleged infringement of Net neutrality, to ‘Free Basics’.

Equipped with more more powerful security measures and more services, the rebranding will help Facebook recognize the many actions and the free fundamental Internet offering the US-based firm is pursuing to help get new users online around the world.

The statement comes days before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is place to see with the campus of Facebook on September 27 in California.

“We are making this change to better recognize the Internet.org initiative from the programmes and services that Facebook supplies, including Free Basics. Though it’s going to today be called Free Basics by Facebook in Google Play anyone presently using the program will soon have the ability to carry on utilizing the Android program. As well as the mobile Web variation, that’ll redirect from the last URL, may be obtained at Freebasics.com,” Internet.org Vice President Chris Daniels told PTI.

He added that more than one billion individuals have access to Internet.org’s free basic services across Asia, Africa and Latin America on Friday.

Established this past year, the programme has more than a dozen mobile operators on board across 17 states offering basic Internet services without data fees to over a billion individuals. The programme aims to supply individuals with access to free basic services through Internet.org to help them find the worth of the Net.

“Internet.org is functioning nicely. The programme has made an effect on people’s lives by giving education, free health, and economical advice. For instance, a Website that helps individuals learn to start and run a company, SmartBusiness sees 5x more day-to-day searches in their service since the start in South Africa in July. What this means is that more individuals are getting access to significant economic advice,” he said.

India has over 8 lakh users of the Internet.org initiative that’s been in the thick of the Net neutrality argument. With telecom major Reliance Communications, Facebook had partnered as element of the worldwide initiative to provide users in India free access.

Facebook faced criticism for establishing the platform as it’s seen breaking the principle of Net neutrality, which is against any priority being granted to an entity in the Web traffic flow due to payments to service providers like telecom firms.

Following a walkout by a lot of its own publisher partners in India, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg had come out in defence of the programme, saying it isn’t in battle with Net neutrality and didn’t block or restrain services.

Daniels said the firm has been in discussions with stakeholders to present its perspective on the matter.

“We’ve been in talks with various stakeholders.

We maintain that Internet.org is a medium to take Internet to the masses to assist them comprehend some great benefits of the global Web,” he said.

Daniels additionally said: “There’s no exclusivity with Reliance in India. We’re in discussions with more telecom operators in the nation to join the platform. Nevertheless, the dialog has impeded. Hopefully, we’ll shortly have more partners on board.”

He reiterated the firm will not pay telecom operators for the info, but the service providers do see advantage as “individuals move on to paid services shortly”.

In May, Facebook had also declared an open programme for programmers to produce services which incorporate with Internet.org.

“Over recent months, programmers have accommodated their services expressly for the Internet.org system conditions, and now, more than 80 free basic services are obtainable in India,” Facebook Manager Merchandise Ventures Ime Archibong said.

“We saw a large amount of excitement from programmers in India who’ve helped enlarge the variety of resources which can be created accessible to individuals, giving them much more choice and control over the services they are able to utilize through the program and Website.”

One of the brand new services on the platform in India are MeraDoctor, English Dost, M-Kisan SkyMet, My Rights and.

With Free Basics, Internet.org is also “making it safer” for individuals to connect to the Websites and services by encrypting advice wherever possible.

“Several months ago, we declared support for services using HTTPS in the Free Basics Android program, and now, we are adding support for HTTPS services on the Web version too.

This may ensure security of information for the end user. We’re also ensuring our privacy policy is listed clearly so that folks understand how and where we’re using their information,” he said.