TRAI supports Net Neutrality Says No to Facebook Free Basics

TRAI supports Net Neutrality Says No to Facebook Free Basics
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said following in the statement
"No service provider shall offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on basis of content,"

This means that Airtel Zero and Facebook's Free Basics will not be allowed in the country.

The regulation will come into effect immediately and will be reviewed every two years.

Trai said that no service provider shall enter into any arrangement, agreement or contract, that has effect of discriminatory tariffs for data services being offered on basis of content. This in effect disallows subsidized data packages that offer access to only a select service, such as WhatsApp or Twitter, packages which are currently offered by various telcos to attract subscribers.

According to TRAI, allowing service providers to charge differently for data could compromise the entire architecture of internet. TRAI said no new launches of prohibited packs/ plans or vouchers shall be permitted.
"Prohibition of discriminatory tariff is necessary to ensure that service providers continue to fulfill obligations in keeping internet open and non-discriminatory,"

the regulation will not apply to tariffs for data services over closed communication networks, unless tariffs offered evade prohibition of this regulation

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has mandated following –

1-No service provider shall offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content.

2- No service provider shall enter into any arrangement, agreement or contract, by whatever name called, with any person, natural or legal, that has the effect of discriminatory tarlffs for data services being offered or charged by the service provider for the purpose of evading the prohibition in this regulation.

3-Reduced tariff for accessing or providing emergency services, or at times of public emergency has been permitted.

4-Financial disincentives for contravention of the regulation have also been specified.

According to TRAI if the norms were violated, companies would have to pay a penalty ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs 50 lakh. "By way of financial disincentive, an amount of rupees fifty thousand for each day of contravention, subject to a maximum of rupees fifty lakh,"

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Monday, February 8, 2016

Tags – Net Neutrality Facebook Free Basics Not Allowed