Jumping into the debate on ensuring non-discriminatory Internet access, industry chamber Asscoham today said it has suggested to telecom regulator TRAI to come out with an ‘Indian version of Net Neutrality’. Without elaborating on what it means by the ‘Indian version’, Assocham said it supports a “special type” of net neutrality and wants TRAI to frame rules that support investments and policy objectives of the country.
However, it has supported plans like Airtel Zero and Facebook’s Internet.Org, which have been criticised by the advocates of free Internet, who accuse these platforms of giving preferential treatment to partner service providers. “We favour net neutrality but of a special type, one that is optimised for the maximum welfare of its citizens. Give us Indian version of net neutrality,” Assocham’s National Council on Telecommunications Chairman TV Ramachandran said here.
In its submission to TRAI, Assocham said it would be “retrograde for India’s economic development and harmful to our citizens to impose a Westernised Version of Net Neutrality and thereby, damage our vision of Digital India.” Ramachandran said Assocham has submitted its response to TRAI and made suggestions that would help the industry in meeting goals of National Telecom Policy of universal connectivity and affordability and broadband availability.