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Ministers discuss differential pricing, Free Basics

This, while TRAI is coming up with a final policy on future of zero rated platforms as well as Free Basics

A motorist rides past a billboard displaying Facebook's Free Basics initiative in Mumbai
A motorist rides past a billboard displaying Facebook's Free Basics initiative in Mumbai
BS Reporter New Delhi
Last Updated : Jan 16 2016 | 1:13 AM IST
Amid a raging debate on net neutrality, minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh, minister of communications and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad and science and technology minister Harsh Vardhan met on Friday to discuss differential data pricing and zero-rated platforms, including Facebook’s Free Basics.

While Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is expected to come out with its recommendations on the issue by the end of this month, the PMO is closely monitoring the issue. In their second meeting, the three deliberated on the implications of differential pricing on the industry and various stakeholders.

“The government is deliberating on the zero-rating platforms to take a holistic view once Trai’s final views are out. The possibility of offering free data usage plans by the government to the first-time internet users was also discussed,” said a person close to the developments.

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TRAI's final policy will decide future of zero rated platforms as well as Free Basics.

Also, the PMO is taking keen interest in the issue because internet access is an essential part of government’s Digital India programme.

The issue has attracted a public debate with experts saying zero rated platforms and Free Basics violate the principles of net neutrality. Besides, Facebook undertook an aggressive campaign promoting Free Basics and asked its users to support their platform by sending mails to TRAI. Though, about 1.8 million mails sent by Facebook users to TRAI on the issue will not be considered by the regulator as it did not answer the queries raised by TRAI.

Free Basics offer certain internet websites to users without incurring any data charges. Facebook had tied up with Reliance Communications for Free Basics but has been asked by TRAI to stop the commercial launch of the service till its approval.

Nandan Nilekani, Paytm’s Vijay Shekhar Sharma are been among the big shots who have raised objections to the Free Basics plan. “Not having a clear law on net neutrality has created a vacuum that many commercial interests are trying to fill with their own interpretation. We are unaware of Facebook’s agenda, we are only commenting on what has been offered, and why it is against the principles of net neutrality, where everyone gets to access the full Internet in an open way,” Nilekani had said.

Sharma accused Facebook of attempting to be an "East India Company",a term that harkens back to the colonial rule in India. Industry bodies Nasscom and IAMAI have opposed differential pricing that allows telecom companies to offer access to select mobile applications or websites.

All the telecom operators have come in support of differential pricing. Bharti Airtel had also launched Airtel Zero last year, which was not launched after a public outcry.

Experts have been saying allowing differential pricing for data would amount to curbs on freedom of choice to access Internet.

Prasad had earlier said that the government would take its structured view on the issue after Trai submits its report.

Net neutrality implies that equal treatment be accorded to all internet traffic and no priority be given to an entity or company based on payment to content or service providers, such as telecom companies, which is seen as discriminatory.

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First Published: Jan 16 2016 | 12:36 AM IST

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