Net neutrality: Govt for non-discriminatory access

Defending the right of Internet users, Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday said that the government stands for ensuring “non-discriminatory” access to the web and it will soon resolve the issue of neutrality.

Clearing the government’s stand in the Rajya Sabha, Prasad said: “The government stands for ensuring non-discriminatory access to Internet for all citizens of the country. The current debate on net neutrality should be seen from this perspective.” The government will resolve the issue “harmoniously and consistently with constitutional principles,” he said.

“Whatever be the outcome of the consultation paper (of Trai) the decision will be taken by the government,” he informed the Upper House, adding, “Internet is one of the finest creations of human mind, it must belong to the mankind, not to a few”.

In March, Trai had released a paper, inviting comments from users and companies on how over-the-top services should be regulated in the country. It asked stakeholders to send suggestions by April 24 and counter-arguments by May 8. A six-member panel of the department of telecommunications (DoT) is also conducting a study on the issue and is likely to submit its report by mid-May.

TMC MP Derek O’Brien stressed on explaining “net neutrality’ to the common man, who does not know about this and they think that this internet is one complicated thing from outer space. 

“Electricity is being supplied to your home and you are paying Rs1,500. Now, the electricity supplier is telling you, say, if you use your fridge and your microwave of a particular brand, you have to pay a little more; if you use your fan and your tube light, you will pay a little less; if you are using a washing machine which is our particular brand, you will have to pay a little less,” he said.