Will take structured view on net neutrality: Prasad
11 Jan 2016 6:32 AM IST
Asserting the government's stand on non-discriminatory access to internet, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday said the issue of net neutrality is being debated by Trai and its report is awaited, following which a final view will be taken.
"The issue of net neutrality is being debated by the Trai (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) and we have to await the Trai report. Thereafter, the government will take its structured view," Prasad told reporters here.
Amid a raging debate on providing equal internet access to all, the government had last year set up an expert panel to look into the issues of net neutrality.
Net neutrality implies that equal treatment be accorded to all internet traffic and no priority be given to an entity or company based on payment to content or service providers, such as telecom companies, which is seen as discriminatory. "I have told the Parliament that internet is the finest creation of human mind. It must remain as a privilege and not become monopoly of the rich.
"Also, non-discriminatory access of Internet shall be given," he said.
Noting that a detailed report is being awaited from Trai, Prasad said decisions would be based on fair consultations with all concerned stakeholders.
"We (the government) respect the freedom of social media and have larger commitment to non-discriminatory access," he added.
'Plan to install 2,500 wi-fi hotspots by next fiscal'
Government is targetting to reach the 50-crore internet subscribers mark in the next 6-7 months, besides installing 2,500 wi-fi hotspots at 256 places by the next fiscal, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Sunday. "Today mobile penetration is 100 crore, while internet penetration is 40 crore. It took more than 3-4 years to become from 20 to 30 crore. "It took less than a year to become from 30 to 40 crore and I have fixed a target of 50 crore...God willing, we will cross 50 crore in coming 6-7 months," he said.
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