Net neutrality basically is free and open internet to people. It means that the government and the Internet Service Providers (ISP) should treat all data on the internet equally. Instead of charging differently for different websites, charging on the amount of usage and also the speed provided. For example, Airtel is a telecom company which charges for the amount of usage and the speed (2g, 3g). When there is no net neutrality, Airtel would charge differently on using different websites. Rs 150 for the internet pack + 50Rs for Google + Rs 75 for WhatsApp + Rs50 for Facebook.
The Concept.
The concept of net neutrality is simple. Users should pay different prices for accessing different websites. This enables the users to limit their internet expenses and pay only for the sites they want to visit and escape from unwanted charges. Users will have to subscribe for different packs for accessing different sites. Thus, a user should pay for the basic internet pack plus the sites they want to visit. Telecom companies wanted to remove net neutrality to earn more profit. Actual practise is, paying for the internet pack and using all the sites and applications with the same speed. When their is no net neutrality, websites will have to pay to Telecom companies to make their site load faster. For example, YouTube pays a big amount to Airtel. This will enable Airtel users to download YouTube videos in seconds Whereas, sites which had not paid anything to Airtel will open in a dead speed.
The Issue.
Telecom companies are Lobbying to the TRAI to regulate the usage of internet. In response, the TRAI authorities have put up a 118 page consultation paper seeking asnwers for 20 questions on this issue from the public and telecom companies depending on which the decision of TRAI would stand. The last date to submit your responses would be 24th April, after which TRAI would take a decision.
What will Happen if the decision is in the favour of The Telecos?
1. Lack of freedom. Lack of freedom to people using the internet. The telecom companies would decide on the usage of internet by their customers. Internet users will not be able to access internet with freedom. It will be in the hands of the ISP as to which site their customers can visit or at what speed. This will result in the ISPs having a control on their users.
2. Unusual Advantage and a Unfair Disadvantage. The rich and big companies in the picture will have a great advantage. Being rich, they will pay a huge amount to the Telecom companies. Thus, when users pay for those sites, they will be able to access those sites with great speed. At the same time, sites which have not paid anything to the telecom companies will have a unfair disadvantage. Maybe due to unaffordability or some other reasons, some companies would not pay to the telecom companies. Thus, even if those are freely accessible to users, their sites will load dead slow. This will make the users visit only the paid sites.
For example, if YouTube pays a amount to Airtel. Airtel users, who subscribe for the YouTube pack will be able to download videos in seconds. Example 2- Airtel and Flipkart comes into a deal. Thus, Airtel users will be able to access Flipkart easily with great speed. Whereas, Amazon site will load dead slow, because it hadn't paid anything to Airtel. This will also result in people buying only from Flipkart as it loads faster. Here, Flipkart is in a Unusual Advantage and Amazon is in a unfair disadvantage as it does not want to pay. This affects the freedom of choice.
3. Unfair for new companies. Big and established companies can pay huge amounts. But, beginner companies will face a huge problem. Paid sites will be easily accessible and sites of those new companies will remain unnoticed.
4. Unusual profits. The main motive of telecom companies behind this lobbying is to earn unusual profits. They charge from both, the sites to be promoted and also their users. They earn profits at the cost of their consumers. For example, Airtel receives huge amount from Flipkart to promote its site and make it accessible faster than others. Airtel also receives money from its users fro subscribing to these packs. Thus, telecom companies wants share of profits from independent sites and applications also.
Affects.
1.Common man will have to pay more for accessing different websites thus emptying his already empty pocket
2. Telecom companies will make unfair extra profits.
3. Rich companies who can afford large amounts will be in a advantage.
4. Beginner companies will suffer high disadvantage.
Steps taken.
As soon as the questionnaire was on the TRAI website, a websites, Net Neutrality and Save The Internet were launched, These websites were launched to support the net neutrality and also against the telecom companies.
Both websites contain that questionnaire simplified with answers already written to those 20 questions. People in support of net neutrality would have to copy that content and paste it in their mail and send it to the TRAI. The answers can be modified by the sender.
Celebrities Support.
Celebrities are people with influence. They can influence people on doing or not doing something. Many celebrities have come forward to support net neutrality with many sharing the AIB Video on net neutrality on Twitter. Some of them are, Shah Rukh Khan, Bipasha Basu, Arjun Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, etc.
The Logical Indian.
The Logical Indian is run by a group of people. It is famous for posting sensible stories on the internet. It has takes steps to support the Net Neutrality. It has mentioned about it in their blog. Their website also has a video relating to the net neutrality. It also has mentioned briefly about net neutrality in its website and why and how can we stop TRAI from regulating it.
AIB.
AIB recently was in the news due to a funny cum controversial video of a Roast. It recently uploaded a video containing complete information about the disadvantages of net neutrality, its affects and need to stop TRAI from regulations. Here is the link to the video. AIB : Save The Internet
The future of internet is in your hands now. To save it or to suffer is your option. Spare 5 minutes and send a email to TRAI. You can visit Save The Internet for complete assistance on the questions and related queries. TRAI received 27000 emails with the first 24 hours. 2 lakh emails have been sent till now. Its your turn now. Vote for your freedom.
Vote for Net Neutrality!
