Technoglitch
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As Trai gears up to frame the net neutrality rules, telecom operators have favoured differential pricing for data services even as nearly 80 percent replies to the regulator's consultation process follow theFacebook 'templates' for its controversy-ridden Free Basics platform.
While net neutrality activists continue to oppose any differential pricing regime, saying it would amount to curbs on freedom of choice to access Internet, Facebook has launched a massive campaign to project its Free Basics platform as a tool to spread web connectivity.
An analysis of a record 2.4 million comments, received by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to its consultation paper on differential pricing for data services, shows that 1.894 million replies are in support of Free Basics, of which 1.35 million views are through '@supportfreebasics.in' and without the senders' individual e-mail IDs while further 544,000 comments have come from '@facebookmail.com'.
On the other hand, the net neutrality campaigners have submitted 4.84 lakh comments through forums like 'Save the Internet'.
Besides, there are comments from telecom and Internet service providers, industry bodies and individuals. The telecom operators including Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Reliance Communications and their respective associations have supported differential pricing for data services, while Internet service providers have opposed the plan.
"For the growth of data service, price differentiation for data services can be allowed," operators have submitted.
Facebook’s Chris Cox in India
Another meeting and yet another desperate attempt at selling Free Basics aka death of net neutrality in India. Late last week, some of our sources were hinting at a Facebook product-related executive visiting India to meet some company founders in Bengaluru. Now, a new report by The Times of India, states that the company’s chief product officer Chris Cox will be in New Delhi to further gather support for its Free Basics initiative.
The report adds that a round table has been scheduled with about 30 entrepreneurs including founders of Paytm, Practo and Limeroad. The discussion is around how to spruce up or reshape tech products and related experience, but Free Basics is also one of the topics to be discussed.
Facebook's Chris Cox in India; another desperate attempt to sell Free Basics – Tech2
While net neutrality activists continue to oppose any differential pricing regime, saying it would amount to curbs on freedom of choice to access Internet, Facebook has launched a massive campaign to project its Free Basics platform as a tool to spread web connectivity.
An analysis of a record 2.4 million comments, received by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to its consultation paper on differential pricing for data services, shows that 1.894 million replies are in support of Free Basics, of which 1.35 million views are through '@supportfreebasics.in' and without the senders' individual e-mail IDs while further 544,000 comments have come from '@facebookmail.com'.
On the other hand, the net neutrality campaigners have submitted 4.84 lakh comments through forums like 'Save the Internet'.
Besides, there are comments from telecom and Internet service providers, industry bodies and individuals. The telecom operators including Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Reliance Communications and their respective associations have supported differential pricing for data services, while Internet service providers have opposed the plan.
"For the growth of data service, price differentiation for data services can be allowed," operators have submitted.
Facebook’s Chris Cox in India
Another meeting and yet another desperate attempt at selling Free Basics aka death of net neutrality in India. Late last week, some of our sources were hinting at a Facebook product-related executive visiting India to meet some company founders in Bengaluru. Now, a new report by The Times of India, states that the company’s chief product officer Chris Cox will be in New Delhi to further gather support for its Free Basics initiative.
The report adds that a round table has been scheduled with about 30 entrepreneurs including founders of Paytm, Practo and Limeroad. The discussion is around how to spruce up or reshape tech products and related experience, but Free Basics is also one of the topics to be discussed.
Facebook's Chris Cox in India; another desperate attempt to sell Free Basics – Tech2
