Our Correspondent
A panel of the Department of Telecommunications, government of India has recommended for regulation of domestic calls using Internet-based calling applications such as Skype, Whatsapp and Viber at par with phone call services offered by telecom operators.
It has however opposed projects like Facebook’s Internet.org, which allow access to certain websites without mobile data charges, while suggesting that similar plans such as Airtel Zero be allowed with prior clearance from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, TRAI.
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The final report of the Committee on Net Neutrality released today said in the case of Over-The-Top, OTT VoIP international calling services, a liberal approach may be adopted. It said, user rights on the Internet need to be ensured so that Telecom Service Providers, TSP or Internet Service Providers do not restrict the ability of the user to send, receive, display, use, post any legal content.
It said the primary goals of public policy in the context of Net Neutrality should be directed towards achievement of developmental aims of the country by facilitating Affordable, Quality and Universal Broadband for its citizens.
Net neutrality implies that equal treatment be accorded to all Internet traffic and no priority be given to an entity or company based on the payment to content or service providers such as telecom companies, which is seen as discriminatory. The neutrality debate flared up in India after telecom operator Airtel launched a platform, Airtel Zero, that would allow free access of some websites on its network.
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