Trai mulls providing Internet free of cost within Net neutrality
The process opens up scope for those applications or platforms that promise to provide free data without the intention of 'gate-keeping' consumers on content access.
- May 20, 2016,
- Updated May 20, 2016 10:26 AM IST
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Thursday proposed exploration of new models to give consumers free Internet service within the Net neutrality framework months after barring platforms like Facebook's Free Basics and Airtel Zero under its differential pricing rule.
The consultation paper on free data is being issued to explore models that could achieve benefits of offering free data while avoiding the ingenuity that the differential tariff regulation is meant to prevent, the regulator said in the consultation paper. The process opens up scope for those applications or platforms that promise to provide free data without the intention of 'gate-keeping' consumers on content access. In February, Trai had barred the platforms like Airtel Zero and Free Basics which offered content for free.
However, there are platforms that credit back data or money spent on accessing content. In the first model, the regulator noted that allowing service providers to perform what effectively amounts to a gate-keeping function might potentially empower telecom service providers (TSPs) to select certain content providers at the disadvantage of others thereby adversely affecting public interest and creating a non-level playing field.
In the second model of providing free data to all consumers, irrespective of network, there is a need to enable smaller entrepreneurs to flourish without permitting gate-keeping function in the hands of TSPs and also to give consumers more choices for accessing the Internet. Trai has sought public views on if there is a need to have TSP-agnostic platform to provide free data or suitable reimbursement to users without violating the principles of its differential pricing for data rules.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Thursday proposed exploration of new models to give consumers free Internet service within the Net neutrality framework months after barring platforms like Facebook's Free Basics and Airtel Zero under its differential pricing rule.
The consultation paper on free data is being issued to explore models that could achieve benefits of offering free data while avoiding the ingenuity that the differential tariff regulation is meant to prevent, the regulator said in the consultation paper. The process opens up scope for those applications or platforms that promise to provide free data without the intention of 'gate-keeping' consumers on content access. In February, Trai had barred the platforms like Airtel Zero and Free Basics which offered content for free.
However, there are platforms that credit back data or money spent on accessing content. In the first model, the regulator noted that allowing service providers to perform what effectively amounts to a gate-keeping function might potentially empower telecom service providers (TSPs) to select certain content providers at the disadvantage of others thereby adversely affecting public interest and creating a non-level playing field.
In the second model of providing free data to all consumers, irrespective of network, there is a need to enable smaller entrepreneurs to flourish without permitting gate-keeping function in the hands of TSPs and also to give consumers more choices for accessing the Internet. Trai has sought public views on if there is a need to have TSP-agnostic platform to provide free data or suitable reimbursement to users without violating the principles of its differential pricing for data rules.