Net Neutrality debate: Mobile operators seek level playing field to be 'viable'

Amid raging debate over Net Neutrality, mobile operators today said if they are not offered a level playing field with Net-based services such as Skype and WhatApp then their businesses would be viable only by raising data prices by up to six times. Amid raging debate over Net Neutrality, mobile operators said if they are not offered a level playing field with Net-based services such as Skype and WhatApp then their businesses would be viable only by raising data prices by up to six times. But if you take data rate to 5x or 6x, a lot of people in India will never be able to access the Internet,” COAI Vice-Chairman and Bharti Airtel India Managing Director Gopal Vittal said. However, Idea Cellular Managing Director Himanshu Kapania said there is no linkage between a zero rating plan and Net Neutrality and it is allowed in parts of world that have adopted Net Neutrality legislation.