Introduction
Until a few days ago, not a single case of discrimination or differential charging in the service provided to different people had been reported. Thus, cyberspace in India reflected the workings of true democracy. On a good day, the report suddenly appeared about telecom operators like AirTel and Vodofone charging extra charge for voice calls from their networks using some of the common communication apps like WhatsApp, Skype, etc. Only these telecom operators charged for their services. All other service providers remained net neutral. What surprised people was the way the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) enacts certain rules. These newly minted rules are clearly aimed at helping certain telecom operators in India. If implemented in its current form, it would lead to the selective delivery of content in the cyber world.
net neutrality
There is an unwritten rule that people who use cyber resources have followed to ensure equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of origin, caste, or financial status. This principle states that Internet service providers (ISPs) and government agencies must treat all data on the Internet equally without charging or discriminating against people based on users, sites, content, platforms, types of equipment or applications. . This term was first coined by Professor Tim Wu of Columbia University who formed this principle to augment the common belief that the Internet is a common medium that unites everyone in this world.
Net neutrality issue
The whole issue of net neutrality came to the fore when mobile operators like AirTel and Vodofone tried to charge their subscribers who started using calling apps like WhatsApp, Skype, etc. to contact people using your Internet network. To milk existing customers, these telecom carriers began applying additional charges to calls made. Unsurprisingly, there was an outcry from people who wanted to keep this medium free from such distortions. Everything seemed to have calmed down for a while. Again, the problem started to arise when TRAI published a formal consultation document on the regulatory framework for over-the-top (OTT) services. Through this document, the telecommunications ombudsman sought to obtain suggestions from the public. Analysts in the field tried to highlight the one-sided approach taken by the ombudsman through this consultation document. They also highlighted confusing statements that could be misinterpreted in the future by telecom operators to fleece ordinary citizens in the cyber world. Ultimately, this would lead to the destruction of creativity and the spread of independent viewpoints in the cyber world. If telecommunications operators are given power, they can selectively offer services to people, favoring someone who pays for them.
Widespread convictions
This consultation document provoked condemnation from all over the country. This time, even the politicians joined the unlucky citizens in condemning the telecom ombudsman for bringing up such a wave and watering down the document on the regulatory framework for OTT. They alleged that TRAI is trying to help some telecom operators that have started to charge an additional cost for VOIP services provided through their network. To funnel the call data into a funnel, they even created separate data packets. This forced Internet users to openly speak out against this measure on the social network. To make matters worse, the president of TRAI told the media that in our country there was no rule that dissuaded telecommunications operators from charging for calls over the Internet. Instead of framing the rule to ensure net neutrality, the TRAI chairman tried to side with telecom operators like AirTel and Vodofone. This is the time for all of us to come together to fight for our rights and freedoms in the cyber world.