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Telcos demand uniform net neutrality rules for all

The associations also stressed on the fact that net neutrality norms should not be limited to only TSPs

Mumbai: In a recent development, telecom operators and internet service providers (ISPs) have showed solidarity towards net neutrality but said that the same should apply for all stakeholders including websites, mobile apps, and handset manufacturers.

"We believe that the regulatory framework of net neutrality should not be limited to TSP (telecom service providers) only, but apply to all other stakeholders such as website, content or applications providers and handset manufacturers," industry bodies Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) and Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India (AUSPI) said in their joint response to the pre-consultation paper on net neutrality, issued by Trai on May 30.

The duo that represent the telecom and internet service providers in India further pointed out that the country has a poor global rank in terms of broadband connectivity. In such a scenario, having a public ‘uniform’ policy on net neutrality should enable affordable, efficient, and unhindered broadband services in the country.

The statement by the duo also appealed the regulatory body to ‘address the needs’ of Over-the-top content providers (OTT) communication services to ensure equality as they offer the same services as licensed telcos. To put matters into perspective, telcos have requested Trai to license OTT services differently, albeit their support for OTT players.

The joint statement also suggested that this hindrance has been acknowledged by the Department of Telecommunication (DOT) as well. The bypassing of licensing and regulatory regime, creating a non-level playing field between TSPs and OTT service providers cause regulatory arbitrage, it added.

The associations also stressed on the fact that net neutrality norms should not be limited to only TSPs but also apply to all stakeholders including websites, apps, and handset manufacturers.

The main issue faced by telecom, as pointed out by the statement, is the fact that telcos were kept under the ambit of strict data privacy rules and consumer information confidentiality provisions whereas OTT services were free from such bonds.

Asking to re-define the concept of net neutrality in the Indian context, the duo asked the telecom regulator to mull over affordability and proliferation of the data network to achieve the set targets.

"Net neutrality regulation should provide non-discriminatory internet access to every citizen, implement same service and same rules for all providers, assess and mitigate the potential revenue loss to the government owing to non-regulation of the content or application developers offer as licensed telecom operators," the statement added.

Showing concerns towards national security and privacy issues, the associations said that no one should be excluded from the scope of net neutrality, including OTT players.

A paper on regulatory framework for OTT players was introduced in March 2015 after to determine their fate. Trai also said that all the pre-consultancy papers or differential pricing, free data norms will be included in the final paper on the subject of net neutrality.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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