internet.org — making internet affordable for all
Disruptive innovations are new introductions to the market that disrupt the current market and existing value propositions/network. Internet.org, partnering with Facebook and multiple telecommunication giants, aims to provide affordable access to internet throughout impoverished nations — one of them being India. A prime example is detailed in the article by BBC News regarding the introduction of a program to provide laptops/smartphones (combined with internet accessibility) to the less fortunate communities in rural India. Albeit, this campaign is not exactly a disruptive “innovation”, it’s more along the lines of a disruptive “initiative”. At its core, it aims to open doors to “a new population of consumers at the bottom of the market (ClaytonChristensen)” To existing internet providers, it seems unwise expanding into third-world countries due to low profit margins. If successful, this massive global campaign will disrupt the current technology and communications market framework in India and forces other companies to alter their cost structure. At the same time, it expands Facebook’s image of corporate social responsibility and customer segments due to expansion with this Internet.org campaign. The bottom line: it’s a win-win situation for the majority of people due to this initiative — much like a disruptive innovation would achieve.
internet.org – value propositions