Nasscom opposes Airtel Zero, Free Basics plans

Opposing Airtel Zero and Free Basics type platforms, IT industry body Nasscom on Monday said such platforms violate net neutrality principles by differentiating internet access for certain types of services.

“We at Nasscom oppose any model where TSPs (Telecom Service Providers) have a say or discretion in choosing a content that is made available at favourable rates or speeds etc,” Nasscom president R Chandrashekhar told reporters here.

 Nasscom has already submitted its views before the regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) requesting not to allow operators price different kinds of services differently such as higher prices for video streaming, accessing e-commerce websites thereby segmenting the internet.

“... any such differential pricing by TSPs either directly like in the case of Airtel Zero or indirectly as in the case of Free Basics through a platform provider with limited access to the websites or internet, which are selected by the TSP or by the partner, violate criteria of net neutrality that we have outlined,” Chandrashekhar said.