Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman R.S. Sharma called for Internet, an important platform for India, being kept open and free, and not cannibalised.
“No one owns Internet... so, it should be open and accessible to everyone,” Mr. Sharma said, suggesting that service providers should not indulge in gate-keeping of this important platform.
The TRAI issued the much-awaited recommendations on net neutrality and has sought to bar telecom service providers from any discriminatory practice on Internet access.
Mr. Sharma said that Internet is an important platform for the country, especially in the context of innovation, startups, online transactions, various government applications, and the Digital India programme.
“So, it is important that the platform is kept open and free and not cannibalised,” Mr. Sharma said.
Also Read Telecom regulator TRAI backs Net neutrality
Asked about the Indian regulator upholding principles of net neutrality when, in fact, U.S. Federal Communications Commission has proposed to roll back net neutrality rules of 2015, Mr. Sharma said TRAI has kept the Indian context in mind while framing its recommendations.
“We have 500 million net subscribers and 1.3 billion population... big things will happen on Internet and it is important to keep it open,” he stressed.
He observed that the networks should be neutral for the content being accessed.
“Networks should not prefer one content over other... should not block or offer fast lane [to certain content],” he pointed out.
The TRAI, in its recommendations, has however allowed certain exemptions and exclusions, including specialised services and time-critical Internet of Things services (like autonomous cars).
These specialised services — the likes of tele-surgery etc — will be identified by the telecom department, which will also take a final call on the TRAI’s overall recommendations on net neutrality.
The TRAI has also stated that Content Delivery Networks which enable telecom operators to deliver content within their network without going through public Internet should be exempted.
Service providers are allowed to take “reasonable measures for traffic management provided they are proportionate, transient [only for the duration of some emergency event], and transparent.”
Pending decision by the telecom department on its recommendations, the TRAI will continue to enforce conditions of licensing that advocates non-discrimination.
Asked about the fine that will be imposed for any violation, Mr. Sharma said the penalty for violation of licence conditions will also be applicable in such cases and no separate penalty had been proposed by the regulator for violation of net neutrality rules.
The regulator will come out with a consultation paper on Over The Top (OTT) “very soon.”
amw11 on November 28th, 2017 at 17:52 UTC »
Great going TRAI. Must commend the timing of releasing these recommendations too. Smartly done.
oldcreaker on November 28th, 2017 at 17:39 UTC »
Actually the way the US has gone is "I decided no one owns this, so it's mine".
JohnH550 on November 28th, 2017 at 16:42 UTC »
The internet is where many people do commerce. Wouldn't enacting a speed limit reduce the amount of commerce these people do with each other?
Any profits these companies make from throttling would turn into deadweight loss for consumers, resulting in a net loss for the economy as a whole.
Why aren't economists speaking up against this? It's like making the speed limit 20mph on the interstate.
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Call your congressman, everybody. Regulate the internet as a utility.