Microsoft slams Facebook's Free Basics. Does Zuckerberg have an answer?

"I don't think what Facebook is doing about net neutrality; it is about helping first-time users get on the Internet and they should call it that. But to muddy it and say that it is also net neutral doesn't make sense," reports ET.

Also read: Facebook shares 10 key facts about Free Basics. Here's what's wrong with all 10 of them

Microsoft, however, adds that they support Facebook's intention of making a set of software and services available to first-time internet users. This helps in making it easier for them to become regular users of technology.

Read more: Facebook defends Free Basics again, says it needs to be deployed in 'fair' and 'transparent' way

The ET report adds, "Somebody is paying for it. And the problem then is that if the operator or a service provider has the right to pay for it, then it limits smaller or any other organisation (not part of Free Basics). I think we need to be very clear that net neutrality means that everybody has the same advantages or disadvantages."

Anything realistic and affordable must be charged in some manner. Pramanik says, "If users are going to be charged more for a certain set of applications of their choice and directed only to the certain set because the operator says I will give you those for free, then where is there net neutrality?"

What Microsoft has to say here is possibly bang on. But what's bigger is that the Net Neutrality activist's finally have backing against Free Basics, that too from Microsoft.