Net neutrality concern echoes on TRAI's free data proposal

Several IT companies have expressed concerns over possible net neutrality violation due to regulator TRAI’s proposal to explore models to provide free data, while telecom operators have questioned the move.

Many individuals and some Internet-based companies have, however, appreciated the proposal, forming part of a consultation paper, but want sufficient safeguards that the model does not violate the net neutrality principle.

The regulator, which is exploring a ‘toll free’ number like facility for accessing online platforms, received comments from 11 telecom operators including Internet service providers, 25 companies and organisations, 14 individual who addressed questions raised in the paper and hundreds of one-line comments from individuals.

Hike Messenger, Times Internet, Medianama have appreciated the move, but with a caution that the final regulation should not violate principle of net neutrality.

Majority of individuals who responded to TRAI’s paper to frame rules for providing free Internet service apprehended that attempt to create framework for free data may violate net neutrality principles.

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COAI and AUSPI submitted a joint representation and questioned TRAI’s call for telecom network-agnostic platform for providing free data and barring them from any kind of selective partnership with web platforms or mobile applications.

PTI