Telecom Regulator TRAI on Monday issued pre-consultation paper on net neutrality, a topic that had kicked up row earlier this year over platforms like Facebook’s Free Basics and Airtel Zero as well as attempts to charge certain internet services, including calls.

Seeking to put in place an overall framework for internet usage in the country, TRAI said: “This pre-consultation paper is an attempt to identify the relevant issues in these areas, which will help the regulator in formulating its views on the way forward for policy or regulatory intervention.”

The paper has sought public views on various aspects such as “What should be regarded as the core principles of net neutrality in the Indian context? What are the key issues that are required to be considered so that the principles of net neutrality are ensured?”
It has also sought views on approach that “India’s policy and/or regulatory approach” should take in dealing with issues relating to net neutrality.

What precautions must be taken with respect to the activities of telecom service providers (TSPs) and content providers to ensure that national security interests are preserved? the paper said. 

It also sought the comments on “what further issues should be considered for a comprehensive policy framework for defining the relationship between TSPs and over the top of content providers?”

“In the absence of a clear regulatory framework on net neutrality, advanced traffic management techniques can potentially be used by an operator for discriminatory or anti-competitive purposes,” TRAI said in its paper put out in its website.
DH News Service