What is Net Neutrality ?
It is a principle that says that Internet Service providers should treat all traffic on their network equally.It entails that all the bits of data are equal and there should be no discrimination on the basis of content,site or user.
पर इससे अपने को क्या फायदा ? Why should we bother ?
Also, Net Neutrality promotes a level playing field for competing companies, and allows start-ups easier access to new potential customers. Net Neutrality is equated to a free market.
Why has there been so much of हल्ला about Net Neutrality recently ?
[Source : The Hindu]
It all started with Airtel when it decided to charge subscribers extra for use the of applications such as Skype and Viber.
Reason : Telecom companies don't like the way these apps are riding on their networks for free and cannibalizing their voice and messaging services business. Also Telecom provides invest pots of money for spectrum allocation as well as infrastructure up-gradation.
But there was furor all over which led Airtel to stay its decision and said that it would wait for TRAI's Consultation Paper on Regulatory Framework for Over-the-top (OTT) services.
Then, Facebook brought to India internet.org, a pre-selected bouquet of Web sites offered free to subscribers of Reliance Communications. There was not much controversy then.
The buzz became really big after TRAI put out a 118-page consultation paper asking the public for its opinion on 20 questions, most of them about how the Internet can be regulated. Views were also sought on net neutrality.
By evening of Tuesday, over 4.2 lakh mails had been sent in support of net neutrality through the savetheinternet.in Web site. Political parties such as the Congress, political leaders such as Arvind Kejriwal and celebrities such as Shah Rukh Khan joined the bandwagon, as has the comedy group All India Bakchod through a video. All of them argue why the Internet should not be touched. TRAI will be open to taking comments till April 24, and counter comments by May 8. which is a free offering of a slew of apps that sign up with the telecom provider.
Airtel Zero Rating :
In between all this, Airtel last week launched Airtel Zero where it offers customers free access to certain apps and services, with cost of this data traffic being borne by the partner. For example, if Flipkart signs up as an Airtel Zero partner, you will not be charged for data you use while accessing Flipkart, and Airtel will bill Flipkart for that session.
While that may sound great on paper, experts say that in the long term it's against consumer interests, because consumers are more likely to use free services. They say smaller companies, who cannot afford to subsidise consumer access to their websites and services, are likely to lose out, stifling innovation in the country, which means fewer options for consumers in the long run.
Flipside of Flipkart :
But on Tuesday, Flipart pulled out of it after initially agreeing to be on it saying that it is committed to Net Neutrality.
What can we do ?
The regulator is seeking the views of all stakeholders by April 24 - that includes consumers like you - and you can send your comments to advqos@trai.gov.in to let the regulator know where you stand.
Let's fight for it.
