Why in news?
- After intense debate, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has vouched clearly for Net Neutrality (NN).
- But there is also some merit in the arguments against net neutrality, which calls for further debate.
What does the verdict imply?
- According to TRAI, internet services should by non discriminatory with no interference in the treatment of content.
- This includes practices like blocking, degrading, slowing down or granting preferential speeds or treatment to any content.
- This means no blocking & throttling of lawful services and no paid prioritisation, except for predefined specialised services like IPTV.
- The logic is that you should not pay any more for choosing a service or website other than the normal internet access charge.
- As the DoT is currently immersed in formulating a new telecom policy, TRAI’s recommendations could serve as input.
- Notably, acknowledging the vagueness in defining NN, TRAI has recommended a principles-based approach on a case by case basis.
How can internet be kept neutral?
- While adopting a principled approach can indeed be a challenge for which TRAI had one interesting recommendation.
- It proposed the creation of a not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder body for monitoring & enforcement of regulations in the internet space.
- The body is envisioned to comprise members representing different categories of service providers.
- This includes - large and small content providers, representatives from research and academia, civil society and consumers.
What is the existing internet ecosystem in India?
- Smartphone users have reached 300 million, Internet users are up by 70 million and mobile traffic grew 75% in 2016.
- Hence, the touted data revolution will be largely driven by mobile networks, which will provide the base for digital India.
- Start-up space in India is also promising as some 4,750 tech start-ups operate here – which is next only to United States and Britain.
- Proponents of NN argue that this has been possible because the net in India is already in a state of de facto neutrality.
- Notably, an earlier order of TRAI banned differential pricing for content, which has kept the net essentially neutral thus far.
- The current recommendations are hence essentially a re-iteration of the status quo in the sector.
What are the arguments against net neutrality?
- The strongest argument in favour of NN is that it promotes innovation that a censored internet is likely to hinder.
- This standard narrative in favour of NN assumes two things –
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- Access to internet exists to enable participation
- Open internet boosts innovation activity
- But about 30% of India’s population currently does not have access to the internet and is still largely a privileged good.
- As affordability is the main challenge, packages such as Facebook’s ‘Free Basics’ will enable internet access for many users.
- While this will indeed be limited access which is against NN, the subscriber always has the option to migrate to the uncensored net.
Why is the overall picture hazy?
- It is clear that projects like Free Basis will considerably bridge the digital gap for the masses.
- But whether such endeavours will bring grave harm upon the very foundations of open internet isn’t clear.
- The fear is that permitting such proposals might lead to other damaging “Content provider – internet provider” arrangements.
- This needs further pondering as it can potentially inhibit competition and weaken innovation.
Source: Financial Express
