Technoglitch
Core Member
That’s the message that’s gone out from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) which on Monday barred differential pricing for internet services, after an intense debate on net neutrality, effectively killing Facebook Inc’s grand plan to roll out its Free Basics services across India.
There are two TRAI papers that came out of the long-running debate. The most recent, ‘Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016’ bars service providers from offering or charging discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content being accessed by a consumer. You can read thishere.
The earlier one was a consultation paper titled ‘Differential Pricing for Data Services’ which was issued in December 2015. You can read this here
Based on the responses received during the consultation and after internal deliberations, the regulatory authority announced on Monday that it fully backed the principles of Net Neutrality seeking to ensure that consumers get unhindered and non-discriminatory access to the internet.You can read the press release here
Hours after the TRAI announcement, Zuckerberg posted a 200-word update on his Facebook page. By Tuesday morning it had drawn more than 80,000 likes and over 4,000 shares.
This is the text:
“Everyone in the world should have access to the internet. That’s why we launched Internet.org with so many different initiatives -- including extending networks through solar-powered planes, satellites and lasers, providing free data access through Free Basics, reducing data use through apps, and empowering local entrepreneurs through Express Wi-Fi. Today India’s telecom regulator decided to restrict programs that provide free access to data. This restricts one of Internet.org’s initiatives, Free Basics, as well as programs by other organizations that provide free access to data.
“While we’re disappointed with today’s decision, I want to personally communicate that we are committed to keep working to break down barriers to connectivity in India and around the world. Internet.org has many initiatives, and we will keep working until everyone has access to the internet.
“Our work with Internet.org around the world has already improved many people’s lives. More than 19 million people in 38 countries have been connected through our different programs.
Sorry, Facebook. India says no to your free basics - Livemint
There are two TRAI papers that came out of the long-running debate. The most recent, ‘Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016’ bars service providers from offering or charging discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content being accessed by a consumer. You can read thishere.
The earlier one was a consultation paper titled ‘Differential Pricing for Data Services’ which was issued in December 2015. You can read this here
Based on the responses received during the consultation and after internal deliberations, the regulatory authority announced on Monday that it fully backed the principles of Net Neutrality seeking to ensure that consumers get unhindered and non-discriminatory access to the internet.You can read the press release here
Hours after the TRAI announcement, Zuckerberg posted a 200-word update on his Facebook page. By Tuesday morning it had drawn more than 80,000 likes and over 4,000 shares.
This is the text:
“Everyone in the world should have access to the internet. That’s why we launched Internet.org with so many different initiatives -- including extending networks through solar-powered planes, satellites and lasers, providing free data access through Free Basics, reducing data use through apps, and empowering local entrepreneurs through Express Wi-Fi. Today India’s telecom regulator decided to restrict programs that provide free access to data. This restricts one of Internet.org’s initiatives, Free Basics, as well as programs by other organizations that provide free access to data.
“While we’re disappointed with today’s decision, I want to personally communicate that we are committed to keep working to break down barriers to connectivity in India and around the world. Internet.org has many initiatives, and we will keep working until everyone has access to the internet.
“Our work with Internet.org around the world has already improved many people’s lives. More than 19 million people in 38 countries have been connected through our different programs.
Sorry, Facebook. India says no to your free basics - Livemint
