In an unprecedented show of strength, Internet users, online free speech activists and e-commerce companies have united to oppose the might of telecom operators on the issue of network or Internet neutrality.
Over four lakh individuals and entities have already written to the telecom regulator TRAI asking it to maintain the status quo on how Internet services are made available to users.
Their campaign got a major boost on Tuesday with Flipkart calling off talks with Airtel to be part of a plan that offered free data usage to consumers. Called Airtel Zero, it allows users to access chat apps, e-commerce sites, gaming portals and other Internet-based services without having to pay for the data usage. Airtel will collect the data charges from the app service providers.
This was criticised by votaries of net neutrality as giving preferential access to websites that had deep pockets. Flipkart was close to signing the deal but the backlash forced it to pull out.
“We exist because of the Internet. We will be walking away from the ongoing discussions with Airtel for their platform Airtel Zero. We will be working towards ensuring that the spirit of net neutrality is upheld and applied equally to all companies,” Flipkart said in a statement.
On its part, Airtel said it fully supports the concept of Net Neutrality and that its Zero platform was merely an open marketing platform for content providers to provide toll-free data services.
Revenue under threat The big challenge for telecom operators is how to recover the crores of rupees spent on buying spectrum and rolling out networks at a time when their revenue streams are under threat. WhatsApp, for example, has launched a voice calling facility that is sure to hit the mobile operators’ revenue from telephony services.
Seven operators, including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular, want the flexibility to offer special plans and data packs.
But the fear of a backlash from users is forcing some to change their strategy to being seen as pro net neutrality, with caveats. Tata DoCoMo has quietly rolled back a plan called ‘Pay Per Site’, which offered special tariff plans for specific websites.
Facebook’s Internet.org initiative has also been questioned for violating net neutrality principles. Facebook has tied up with RCom to offer free access to select websites.
While Facebook says this is a means to provide free Net access to the hinterland, other Internet companies see it as a violation of net neutrality.
“Net neutrality is absolutely essential for a free and competitive market, especially now, since there is a start-up boom in the country, particularly in the online sector,” said Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO, OYO Rooms.
The focus is now on TRAI, which is expected to finish the consultation process and give its view on the issue next month.
Read debate on Net Neutrality under Opinion section