Airtel Airtel drops the plan for launching new data VOIP pack.

[Technoglitch]

REUTERS - Bharti Airtel Ltd dropped a plan on Monday to charge clients extra for Internet communication services such as Skype, amid a debate on allowing equal access to web content and a backlash from subscribers.

India's largest telecommunications carrier by subscribers said last week that Internet or data plans that give customers discounted rates will be valid for Internet browsing but will exclude Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.

VoIP services include communications applications such as Skype, Line and Viber that typically let users make free calls through the Internet.

The proposal sparked widespread complaints from Indians on social media and the creation of a website to fight against the plan.

Bharti Airtel drops move to charge more for VoIP calls| Reuters

 

[Sanjeev]

So they finally change the decision to increase the prices

 

[Technoglitch]

as of now adtv reverted back and let's see what the future holds.

 

[timkamat]

So finally airtel succumbs to the pressure from customers

 

[NinadG]

Trai Chairman Rahul Khullar has already said that net neutrality is not a concern for him, so people should be worried that the consultation paper from Trai which would decide about such excessive charging, could also be as anti-consumer.
Airtel and other telcos can use this as a shield for any excessive charges in future.

While Airtel may have stopped the move for now, it seems more like a postponement than a cancellation of its plans.

 

[SUNIEL]

I think airtel fear to lost many customers

 

[Technoglitch]

if other telecos join the game then it is a burden for us.

 

[IndianMascot]

That's the biggest fear. In US, Netflix tried to apply the same and was highly criticized for this.

 

[DashMajor]

Plan is dropped but rates will be hike basically they're implementing DTH policy here.

 

[DashMajor]

Trai Chairman Rahul Khullar has already said that net neutrality is not a concern for him, so people should be worried that the consultation paper from Trai which would decide about such excessive charging, could also be as anti-consumer.
Airtel and other telcos can use this as a shield for any excessive charges in future.

While Airtel may have stopped the move for now, it seems more like a postponement than a cancellation of its plans.

That is the saddest part that rule maker is not concern about any company's anti consumer act. I too believe that may be Govt. ask Airtel to drop the plan as Delhi elections coming soon and Airtel having good no. of customers there and BJP will definitely use these services for their campaigns.