![]() ![]() ![]() The run-up to the TRAI order was a win-win for all and a massive success for the Indian civil society. So TSPs are allowed to offer free night time browsing, or limited data packs, but can’t offer certain services like WhatsApp or Facebook free of cost. Such differentiation of data on the basis of content was termed “discriminatory” and the only form of tariff differentiation allowed are those independent of content. The TRAI order prohibited telecom service providers from offering differential tariffs for data services on the basis of content. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India in its order on net neutrality summed it up emphatically: allowing service providers todefine the nature of access to the internet “would be equivalent of letting TSPs shape the user’s internet experience”. So preferential actions by data providers who act as gatekeepers is not to be confused with content providers who offer paid content. It ignores the original, and beautiful, conception of the internet as an open and free world without walls. ![]() But the problem here was that users would get free access only to Facebook, and a limited set of other apps/sites like Wikipedia, Bing, Accuweather, etc. It was cloaked in the language of spreading free internet access, corporate social responsibility, and empowerment. But the more persuasive pitch against net neutrality was mounted by Facebook in India through Free Basics. This would lead to stifling of innovation. Called zero-rating, the Department of Telecommunications has not completely banned this concept, arguing for a case-by-case appraisal as some zero rating choices may have a persuasive rationale.īut the zero-rating argument that all the biggies should pay for free data transport does not factor in the injustice this would cause to small players and their efforts to grow their companies. So Airtel proposed Airtel Zero and Flipkart appeared eager to board this new platform so that those using its app would not have to pay for data usage thus giving the company an unfair advantage over its e-commerce rivals. However, net neutrality activists point out that sale of data packs should offset these losses. They saw net neutrality as a stumbling block in their effort to offset the losses due to falling revenues from voice calls and SMS after VoIP-based and instant messaging applications like Skype and WhatsApp became increasingly popular. Only broadband companies and technology giants stand to benefit from undermining net neutrality, which demands that broadband companies treat all content and applications alike without speeding or slowing anyone.įor Indian telecom companies too, saddled with large debt servicing requirements, the potential of this new revenue stream proved too hard to resist. US President Donald Trump’s crusade to undermine everything Barack Obama supported is getting crazier. Fortunately, good sense has prevailed and Telecom Minister Ravishankar Prasad has categorically stated that India won’t have “walled gardens”. The reopening of the net neutrality debate in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission had raised concerns about India reviewing its earlier stance. ![]()
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