TRAI said no to differential pricing! Rules in favor of net neutrality
TRAI has today issued the ‘Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016’ that disallow service providers to offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content being accessedby by a consumer. This move is a big win for net neutrality.
TRAI said that anything on the Internet cannot be deferentially priced and no operator shall charge discriminatory pricing on content, source and application. The existing plans in operation will not be valid in 6 months. Along with the ban on differential pricing, TRAI will determine if attempts are being made to violate regulations. TRAI is essentially attempting to put everything on the Internet on an agnostic platform. Internet companies, however, will not fall under TRAI’s domain.
Facebook had gone all the way out on this matter, to make sure that Operator can deferentially price the data service.
Telcos had written to TRAI, explaining differential pricing is essential for promoting innovation and growth of data services, and find support from Facebook. On the other hand, most voices out there, from startups to netizens, are against differential pricing. Most reports pointed that TRAI will be in favour of net neutrality.
TRAI chairman RS Sharma tweeted: “Regulations will come into effect immediately: TRAI chairman RS Sharma on TRAI supporting net neutrality”
