Govt panel against differential pricing of internet-based calls, data surfing

A government panel is expected to recommend the enactment of a new legislation to explicitly prohibit mobile operators from offering differential tariffs for internet-based voice calls and data surfing as well as sponsored data such as Airtel Zero or Facebook's Internet.org.

According to the committee, such offerings go against the tenets of net neutrality.

The committee is yet to submit its views to the department of telecommunications but has held several meetings.

The six-member committee headed by member-technology of the telecom department, AK Bhargava, has been asked to submit a report on net neutrality by the end of the month.

If the government accepts the committee's suggestions, it could be a blow to telcos that are losing out to over-the-top (OTT) players like WhatsApp and Skype that offer voice and messaging services.

While the government could disallow the controversial 'zero rating' plans floated by companies in its final policy on net neutrality, reports say, it could make an exemption for delivery of essential government services such as education and health on a preferential basis.

"Zero rating plans that involve commercial arrangements at the back-end violate the idea of net neutrality as they seem to provide discriminatory access to certain apps," ET quoted a senior telecom department official as saying.

The committee has suggested that the proposed law clearly lays down when an operator can block sites or slow down speeds, which would be allowed only if it spots illegal content, spam, viruses and as part of traffic management during periods of congestion or emergency.

Also, the committee feels that while the telcos might have made huge investments and voice services are a dominant business for them, the evolution of technology cannot be stopped - operators have to adapt to disruptive technologies.

Net neutrality means all end users are able to access content, applications and services of their choice at the same level of service quality, internet speed and price with no priority or degradation based on the type of content, applications or services.

However, the government is unlikely to make a final decision on the report till the time the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India submits its report on the matter.

The Trai consultation process on whether to bring OTT operators like Facebook, WhatsApp or Skype, who basically provide free calling apps that use the voice over internet protocol route, need to be brought under some kind of regulatory mechanism is under way but its report is likely to be delayed.