TRAI decision clear expression of popular will: BJP

This move naturally means that social media giant Facebook’s plan to launch its Free Basics internet services in India, will not be going ahead anytime soon.

“Congratulations TRAI and R.S Sharma for standing up for consumers”.

According to Internet activists, this model violates the principle of Net neutrality as it restricts access to free, open Internet.

Twitterati have responded in a positive manner to the order delivered by TRAI.

“We are indeed quite satisfied that we were also able to contribute our share of arguments in support of ‘net neutrality and the authorities who have made this hard decision under tremendous pressure deserve the gratitude of a nation”, the statement continued.

TRAI will levy Rs. 50,000 a day penalty for discriminatory tariffs charged by service providers. “Days of telcos controlling regulations and regulatory policy are over and it’s consumer to the fore”, he said.

Based on the responses received and the internal deliberations, the Authority has issued these Regulations.

Though Trai has not mentioned net neutrality in its regulation but differential pricing of internet or data services is serious issue under net neutrality.

The regulator further said that “no service provider shall enter into any arrangement, agreement or contract, by whatever name called, with any person… that has the effect of discriminatory tariffs for data services being offered or charged to the consumer on the basis of content”.

“Our submission highlighted the importance of net neutrality principles, non-discriminatory access and transparent business models aligned to the goal of enhancing internet penetration in the country”.

However, the regulator also said, “Differential tariffs being offered for data transmitted over closed electronic communications networks, such as intranets are not prohibited by these regulations”. Such a step is also warranted in view of the high costs of regulation in terms of time and resources that will be required for investigating each case of tariff discrimination.

TRAI had issued the Consultation Paper on “Differential Pricing for Data Services” on 9th December, 2015. Opportunity for submitting written comments and counter comments was given to the stakeholders till 7h and 14th January, 2016, respectively. TRAI may review these regulations after a period of two years.