New Delhi : IT industry body Nasscom opposed Airtel Zero and Free Basics type platforms which it feels violate net neutrality principles by differentiating internet access for certain types of services.
“We at Nasscom oppose any model where TSPs (Telecom service providers) have a say or discretion in choosing a content that is made available at favourable rates or speeds etc,” Nasscom President R Chandrashekhar said.
He further said that Nasscom has submitted its views before regulator Trai requesting not to allow operators price different kinds of services differently such as higher prices for video streaming, accessing e-commerce websites thereby segmenting the internet.
“… any such differential pricing by TSPs either directly like in the case of Airtel Zero or indirectly as in the case of Free Basics through a platform provider with limited access to the websites or internet, which are selected by the TSP or by the partner, violate criteria of net neutrality that we have outlined,” Chandrashekhar said. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has invited comments from public till January 7 on its paper.
