Telecom regulator TRAI backs Net neutrality

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Tuesday came out in strong support of Net neutrality in a series of recommendations following a long process of consultations on the issue. Warning against any “discriminatory treatment” including blocking, degrading, slowing down or granting preferential speeds to any content, TRAI stated, “The scope of the proposed principles on non-discriminatory treatment apply specifically to ‘Internet Access Services’, which are generally available to the public.” These recommendations have been arrived at based on the pre-consultation paper issued in May 2016 to identify key issues and a detailed consultation paper in January 2017 which focussed on identifying the requirements, design, scope and implementation of Net neutrality framework in India. No arrangement In a clear message to service providers, one of the recommendations reads, “The service providers should be restricted from entering into any arrangement, agreement or contract, by whatever name called, with any person, natural or legal, that has the effect of discriminatory treatment based on content, sender or receiver, protocols or user equipment.” In February 2016, TRAI had barred telecom providers from charging differential rates for data services in its Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016, effectively blocking such attempts by Facebook and Airtel. The Cellular Operators Association of India observed that the recommendations were “principally” in agreement with the industry submissions regarding the narrow issue of Net neutrality but were disappointed that the authority did not adopt the industry recommendation to have a wider approach. “The debate of Net neutrality was about the freedom and choice of access for end users,” the IAMAI said and added that Internet in India, unlike possibly in the U.S. or China, is going to be ‘free and open’ upholding the democratic principles of the country.