The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) published a pre-consultation paper on net neutrality on Monday seeking comments till 21 June.
The TRAI is in “the process of exploring a model for providing free Internet within the framework of net neutrality,” reports Livemint.
The latest paper has provided a definition of network neutrality:
The principle that telecom service providers (TSPs) must treat all Internet traffic on equal basis, without regard to the type, origin or destination of the content or the means of transmission.
A separate consultation paper regarding the matter was published on 19 May by the TRAI.
The authority added that throttling Internet speeds and fast lanes by telcos will be looked upon as “unreasonable”.
Blocking online content or offering preferential treatment, disrupting or bettering Internet speeds based on content, charging discriminatory prices or inspecting data pack contents will also be barred.
After the public furore on differential pricing, the TRAI had to withdraw permission to put a price on Internet services which can generally be accessed for free – WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat. This had forced giants like Facebook and Airtel to recall their projects, Free Basics and Airtel Zero, respectively.
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