As India undergoes its data revolution, we welcome TRAI’s commitment to the preserve the democracy of the internet and user rights to the freedom of speech and expression.
Net neutrality is core to the future of the India’s digital economy. The recommendations are completely consistent with the basic construct of NASSCOM recommendations calling for unrestrained and unimpeded access to all lawful content and services subject to national regulations related to security and privacy, and preventing service providers leveraging their exclusive control over access infrastructure to speed up, slow down or selectively enable or prevent access to certain content.
In the joint submission made by NASSCOM-DSCI, we had averred that the concept of net neutrality does not prevent consistent and reasonable traffic management practices with appropriate provisions to deal with situations like unforeseeable transitory congestion, specific security threats or prioritization for stipulated emergency services as required in the larger public interest. The TRAI recommendations have accepted all these observations.
We welcome the multi-stakeholder approach involving content providers, service providers, access providers, research, and academia to collaboratively monitor violations and make recommendations to the authority on regulations and standards. This will facilitate fair, alert and effective implementation.
Today’s recommendations will promote equitable access to the internet for every citizen. It would ensure a level playing field for IT and OTT services providers to innovate and customize in India and provide a constantly expanding range of new services relevant to every individual. We believe that the recommendations made by TRAI should be evaluated and taken up for implementation in a speedy manner. This will help deliver on India’s pledge to the global agenda to ensure every citizen’s right to unfettered access to the internet.