Net Neutrality – Sum & Substance!

SAVE THE INTERNET!!

Net Neutrality is the principle that data should be treated equally irrespective of user, content or website. It is the concept that makes it crucial for the Internet Service Providers, the telecommunication companies and the government to be equitable about all bits of data over the net. For instance, in case of electricity, one is charged according to the total consumption and not according to the appliances being used. That is, the telecom giants like Airtel, Vodafone etc. should charge similarly for all kinds of apps and data.

It helps citizens by charging videos similar to other data forms, by allowing access to all websites at similar speed without the interference of the ISPs. Net Neutrality also supports the internet based start-ups helping them develop a global customer base. Due to the openness of Internet, Google and Facebook have risen to such a stature.

The concept has received such a massive support in India now but across the globe, there have been massive uproars against telecoms threatening net neutrality in the past as well. In fact, in the US, the breach of net neutrality is illegal. The Federal Communications Commission voted for strong rules fostering net neutrality. In the Europe, there have been efforts going on to remove “privileged access” to “specialized services” from their 2013 net neutrality principle. Last year, Chile also put a ban on the zero- rated schemes wherein free access to social media was provided by the ISPs to their subscribers.

Of late, many telecom companies have tried lobbying the telecom regulator, TRAI to impose restrictions on internet usage. Reason being, the ISPs (Internet Service Providers) want to be the deciding authority for the prices users have to pay for accessing a particular website, application, content. For instance, the telecom giant, Airtel, may charge the users for using WhatsApp while keeping the usage of Hike free (Hike being an Airtel application). That is, for the application developers or website owners, it would mean paying extra to these ISPs in order to acquire network visibility.

Towards the end of last year, Bharti Airtel took the decision of charging extra for OTT (over-the-top) services like Skype and Viber. Basically, these applications facilitate voice and messaging services and hence pose a threat to the services of the telecom providers. However, there was a massive uproar that followed Airtel’s decision. This forced the telecom giant to put a stay on its decision till TRAI brings up its Consultation Paper on Regulatory Framework for the OTT services. Apart from this, Facebook also came up with Internet.org, a bunch of websites offered free to R-Com subscribers.

Recently, a lot of criticism followed Airtel (for introducing Airtel Zero – offering a slew of applications for free) and Flipkart (for allegedly tying up with it). Telecom Giants providing free access to their services pose a threat to other players – if users are getting free access to service X they certainly would not want to pay for service Y serving a similar purpose with slightly different functionalities. Hence, this would create a monopoly leaving absolutely no space for smaller telecom companies. Henceforth, all the say in deciding usage charges would rest with the telecom giants only.

In response to this, TRAI brought up a 118-page Consultation Paper seeking public opinion on 20 questions regarding the regulations on internet. This is how “net neutrality” and “save the internet” have created a buzz. Through the savetheinternet.com page, lacs of e-mails have been sent by supporters of net neutrality. Public Figures – Shahrukh Khan, Arvind Kejriwal came up in support for the cause. The comedy group –AIB released a video that is going viral.

Every netizen should show its support to the cause of Net Neutrality by answering to the TRAI Consultation paper (at trai.gov.in) on the basis of which TRAI would decide and sending them to [email protected], by April 24,2015. Besides, sign this petition (at www.change.org/p/ to help the “save-the-internet” campaign)

Click here for government certification in Information Technology