Internet search giant Google pushing IAMAI to drop zero rating from submission to DoT

Internet search giant Google seems to be opposed to net neutrality in India.

Google is reported to have started to push the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), a body that represents internet companies in India, for the removal of any mention of zero rating in its submission to the Department of Telecom's report on Net Neutraliy.

Zero rating plans allow internet companies (who have a lot of money to spend) to grant free access to apps and websites by striking a deal with telecom providers.

According to a Medianama report, Vineeta Dixit from Google's public policy and government relations team had written to IAMAI for removal of any mention of 'Zero Rating' from its submission to the Department of Telecom.

IAMAI  has in its possession the copies of the emails that had been written.

The email, which is dated 14 August, reportedly reads, ''We would like to register strong protest against this formulation and would request you to remove this (Zero Rating) from the submission.''

It needs to be mentioned that in the midst of the entire net neutrality controversy, Google had not taken a clear position on it in India, preferring so far to remain non-committal.

However, a report in The Economic Times pointed out that Google planned to roll out its own Zero Rated service in India.

Meanwhile, yesterday was the last day for submission of suggestions on the issue of Net Neutrality with as many as 73,326 people posting their views on the DoT report on mygov.In, the government's platform for citizen engagement.

The government had called for public comments after a controversy on zero-rated plans that were seen to be discriminatory. The government would firm up regulations after considering the views of the public and regulator TRAI's suggestions.

Following a surge in comments, the deadline had been extended to 20 August from the original 15 August.

The number of comments on 14 August stood at around 700, which increased sharply following campaigns by online groups like Save The Internet and AIB.

Most people who shared their views had lent their support to Net neutrality, which meant equal treatment for all internet traffic, without discrimination or priority for any person, entity or company.