Strongly advocating Net-neutrality (NN) information technology industry body Nasscom on Wednesday proposed a synergistic model for Internet platforms, applications, and telcos.
Nasscom also said it would soon share its responses on the regulatory framework of over-the-top players in the TRAI consultative paper .
It said the advent of the Internet, proliferation of mobile telephony, adoption of social media, big data/ analytics, cloud and Internet of things, combined with the burgeoning growth of the start-up and innovation ecosystem necessitated Net neutrality.
"Any restrictions placed on access to platforms of data tantamount to a restriction of freedom of expression because my freedom of expression includes my freedom to be heard," R Chandrashekhar, President, Nasscom, told presspersons here.
Explaining the importance of Net neutrality, he said it creates an open and level playing field that facilitates innovation, adoption, and inclusion, and therefore, the definition of NN has to be understood better.
"The other key priority is the adoption of affordable telecom infrastructure. These essential building blocks of the digital revolution are not contradictory and can and need to be synergised," the Nasscom President said.
As mobile penetration approaches saturation level, voice traffic would plateau, and rising data traffic would be the driver of demand for more telecom infrastructure, the industry body said.
The issues brought out in the TRAI paper arise from the fact that the current revenue streams of telcos are heavily voice dependent, while the demand for infrastructure is increasingly driven by rising data usage, it said.
Therefore, in the long run, a revenue stream calibrated to the demand/ consumption of data is the way forward to ensure that the demand driver and revenue generator are aligned, it added.
"Any stifling regulations restricting access to Internet or Internet platforms and services would not only seriously hamper this prospect of development but also suppress growth and the success of innovation-driven tech start-ups and small and medium enterprises," Sanjeev Bhikchandani, Chairman of the Nasscom Internet Council, said.