The Internet as you know it is changing, as companies in India scramble to end the principle of net neutrality. Here’s how.
What’s Net Neutrality?
Telecom service providers like Airtel are all set to launch partnerships with select companies. For example, if Airtel were to partner with online retailer Flipkart, it will mean that you as an Airtel subscriber won’t get charged for the data you will use to access Flipkart’s site or app. Nothing basically wrong with that.
The problem is, a company like a Snapdeal, which is Flipkart’s rival, stands to lose in this scenario. Because Airtel, which will not charge you to visit Flipkart’s site or app, will charge you to access Snapdeal’s site or app on your phone.
This hasn’t happened yet because the principle of Net Neutrality has ensured that no business gets preferential treatment. In other words, the net is an open highway for everyone to use. It’s the basis under which the internet has operated all along, but telecom companies like Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance want to change the rules.
What’s the fuss?
The reason why Telecom companies are making deals with select companies is because they’re losing potential profits to apps that the Internet enables. These companies don’t like this prospect because they invested in infrastructure and paid the government for spectrum.
Whatsapp messages which are free, ended the reign of the SMS, which costs a few paise. Viber, a free app, lets you make calls over the Internet from your phone. Telecom companies, who depend on the revenue they get from phone calls, lose out.
Given this change, telcos want to charge you selectively for Internet usage. This is disturbing because it breaks the very nature of the Internet.
What’s Happening in India?
India has now become a test case for net neutrality. In countries like the US, the principle of net neutrality has been upheld, so telecom firms see a big opportunity in India. Companies like Reliance, Vodafone and Airtel have been lobbying with India’s telecom regulator, the TRAI, to abolish net neutrality.
How to Save the Internet in India
In an effort to collect feedback from consumers, the TRAI has released a 117-page ‘consultation paper’ and 20 questions for you. You have till 24 April 2015 to send your responses to advqos@trai.gov.in.
What Will Happen if There is No Net Neutrality?
For starters, your monthly mobile bill will increase. But select sites and internet-based businesses who have tied up with telecom providers will be free. Telecom companies might also slow down the bandwidth to websites and apps that they don’t have a deal with, disrupting your experience.
Since India is a very price-sensitive market, you will end up going only to those sites that have paid the firms. Businesses and entrepreneurs who’re just starting out will lose out.
What the West Did for Net Neutrality
Chile was the first country to make Net Neutrality a central part of its General Telecommunications Law in 2010. The Netherlands became the second country to adopt Net Neutrality in 2011. In Mexico, regulations were adopted in 2011. The European Union adopted a Net Neutrality amendment in April 2014. And this year in February 2015, the USA adopted net neutrality regulations.
Which way will India go? You might just have the key to it.
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