Trai to explore net neutrality models

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Thursday issued a paper to explore various models through which service providers would be able to offer free data, while keeping the principles of differential rate regulation intact.

This was aimed at addressing the concerns raised after its regulation on disallowing differential pricing by telecom players. “There is a need to have some telecom service provider (TSPs)-agnostic platform which can facilitate app developers to promote their websites by providing some incentives to user for making their websites popular.  Besides, there is a need to enable smaller entrepreneurs to flourish without permitting gatekeeping function in the hands of the TSPs and to give the consumers more choices for accessing the internet,” Trai said. In a nutshell, Trai is looking to create such platforms (zero-rated) but without telecom operator being the gatekeeper, according to experts.

In its previous regulation, Trai had said differential pricing for data service would not be allowed, striking a blow on zero-rated platforms such as Facebook’s Free Basics plan and Airtel Zero.

The latest paper would seek to look into whether there was a need to have telecom service provider-agnostic platform for free data or suitable reimbursement to users, without violating rules of differential pricing for data.

Should such platforms be regulated by Trai? Should free data or suitable reimbursement to users be limited to mobile data users only or also to subscribers of fixed-line broadband or leased-line as well are some of the issues the paper will look into. The various models should facilitate the un-connected and under-connected to get onto the internet platform while using the principles of open, transparent and equal access to consumer services by all consumers and all businesses. It also should not hold back innovation and the opportunity to increase internet penetration and usage.

Trai said among the various models that could be considered one could be to provide a reward to consumer through a TSP-agnostic platform when they download certain applications or have some activity on a particular website.

In this model, apps may provide rewards in the form of a recharge for data usage or for voice usage to the users.