Net neutrality: a hotly debated topic to save the Internet
NET NEUTRALITY
What is Net Neutrality about?
When we log on to the Internet, we take many things for granted. We assume that we will be able to browse any website we want, whenever we want, as many times as we want, at the fastest speed, whether it is a corporate or family site. We suppose we can use any service we like: watch videos online, listen to songs or podcasts, send instant messages, at any time we choose. What makes all these assumptions possible is net neutrality.
Telecom carriers/ISPs are access service providers and can control how much you access, what you access, how fast you access, and how much you pay to access content and services on the Internet.
Net Neutrality is the principle that Internet Service Providers (ISPs/Telcos) and the government should treat all data on the Internet equally, should give their customers equal access to all legal websites and services on the Internet, without giving priority to any website over another.
This means that net neutrality is about:
• All sites must be equally accessible
• Do not grant telecommunications-style licenses to Internet companies
• No acceleration of specific websites
• No “zero rating” or making some sites free over others.
Why There Is A Sudden Buzz And Debate About Net Neutrality In India
• Telecom companies have lobbied TRAI (Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India) and are trying to introduce regulations on internet usage, putting our freedom of choice and privacy at stake.
• If this happens in India, our ISPs will decide which website or application we will be given access to and how much we will have to pay to access each website/application.
• If you are an app publisher or website owner, you will need to pay each ISP to make your app/website visible to people in their network.
For example: On an Airtel network, Airtel can “charge” us to use WhatsApp, while Hike Messenger will be free to use, since Hike is an Airtel product.
With the rise of wireless broadband, the debate intensified and created wide differences in perspectives. As the debate continues globally, India’s TRAI has sought advice – for the first time from the general public, and not just industry – by circulating a consultation document on the regulatory framework for over-the-top services. (OTT), Seeking Public Comment Buzz about net neutrality increased when Airtel, India’s leading telecom operator, launched “Airtel Zero”, a platform designed to partner with various Internet-based companies to generate revenue. There has been a significant furore in the public domain and campaign against Airtel Zero, leading to the company’s withdrawal of the program.
One of the main reasons why the Internet has been so successful is that people have generally been able to use it however they want. It is important for access to knowledge, services and freedom of expression, as well as the freedom and ease of doing business online, that this access be neutral. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) cannot restrict the best access or pick winners and losers in the online marketplace for services and ideas. The worst thing lawmakers could do to the network would be to let telcos mess with it. Rather, they should focus on what is needed to make broadband accessible to all.