Net Neutrality: What is it?

Net neutrality looks like a very sophisticated term appearing online and in the news quite frequently nowadays. Before your friends make fun of you for not knowing it,  let's quickly have a look at it.

What is this gibberish term?

As the name suggests net neutrality means internet that allows everyone to communicate freely. It means a service provider should allow access to all content and applications regardless of the source and no websites or pages should be blocked, as long as they aren't illegal.

Why is it in the news frequently?

Frankly, because of Airtel. First time Airtel did something (I'll explain to you below), the term became an internet rage. Before that, the term was seldom in the news as the telecom operators were not happy about it (Will explain about that too). 

Quite recently Airtel (again) whipped up the issue regarding net neutrality.

How does it affect you?

Catastrophe. Net neutrality is the only reason they you are able to access your "favorite websites" without any hiccups. If it was up to the  telecom operators and the ISPs, then god forbid, but they would have charged innocent consumers like you and me for accessing them. Or worst, even banned them. 

Example- You get water from the Delhi Jal board. Now how would you feel if they told you for what purpose to use the water. If they told you that water can't be used for bathing (never ending joy for some people, especially during winters) or maybe it can't be used for washing the dishes and you would have to pay extra to use water for these facilities.

This is exactly what the telecom operators and TRAI are thinking to do. If this is implemented, very soon the ISPs will follow suit.

What was the stimulus to stir up the controversy?

A few months back Airtel came out with special type of data packs that could be used for the purpose of calling using OTP apps such as Skype, Line, Viber etc. Your ordinary data packs could not be used for these services. You would be charged extra for these calls if you didn't have these special data packs.
This decision was reverted back after interference from TRAI.

Quite recently Airtel has launched "Airtel Zero Program" which goes against the spirit of net neutrality. Some of the apps, who have a tie up with Airtel and have paid then some fees, can be downloaded on Airtel network without consuming data.

Seems like a"win-win" situation for both the consumers and the telecom companies. But on a closer look, we can see that it gives a huge advantage the the developers who have the resources to enroll for the program. This program will reduce the prospects of small-time app developers by a huge margin, since they won’t be able to pay the charges of the program and will hence lose their visibility. Secondly it is against net neutrality.

What argument is giving by these operators for the violation of net neutrality?

They say that are are losing a huge chunk of their calling and messaging revenue because of these apps. Yes I agree with the statement but what they don't realise is that the sale of data packs have increased exponentially.

Most of the people I have seen, have data packs on their phone especially the youth. Also the price of these data packs is increasing, validity is decreasing and also data consumption limit is decreasing.

What can you do?

The regulatory body has asked the public for their opinion on the debate, and you can contribute to that by submitting your responses by mail before April 24 on the TRAI website.

Comments and suggestions are welcome.