TRAI issues consultation paper on Net Neutrality

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a new consultation paper seeking comments from users and other stakeholders on the issue of free data.

The paper was released on 19 May and is open for comments till 16 June. Comments can be sent to TRAI by an email to [email protected].

"This consultation paper is being issued to explore model(s) that could achieve the benefits of offering free data while avoiding the ingenuity that the Differential Tariff Regulation is meant to prevent," the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) consultation paper on free data said.

The paper asserted that no telecom service provider (TSP) or a large company should play the role of a gatekeeper.

"The model should use the principles of open, transparent and equal access to consumer services by all consumers and all businesses. TRAI believes that the proposed model should not hold back innovation and the opportunity to increase Internet penetration and usage," it added.

On 8 February, the TRAI ruled in favor of net neutrality and said no to differential data pricing. "No service provider shall offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content," TRAI had said in a much-awaited regulatory order.