Net Neutrality in India - Save it!

Net-neutrality is the principle that Internet service providers should treat all data on the Internet equally, and not discriminate or charge differently by user, content, site, platform, or application. There are no norms for it in the country as of now.

India is in the throes of a net neutrality debate with the Telecom Regulation Authority of India (TRAI) releasing consultation paper a few days ago in March, 2015 on the regulatory framework for over the top (OTT) services.

The paper includes a key section on net neutrality and whether telecos like Airtel have the right to charge an user for accessing apps like Whatsapp, Skype and Viber with free-calling services. TRAI, with its pro-corporate tilt, has been rousing a lot of concern on among digital rights champions.

Presently, users are not charged any fee by the operators to make calls or send messages using these applications. They just need to pay the regular data charge for Internet browsing. However, telecom operators are of view that the OTT are eating up a part of their revenues without investing in networks.

Communication and Information Technology minister Ravi Prasad, was lauded by users of social media and digital rights championers for tweeting about forming a committee to looking into the net neutrality debate.