It’s free-for-all over free data platform to Netizens

NEW DELHI: On the last day of submission of the telecom regulator’s consultation paper on free data, the submissions by prominent Internet activists varied on the question of having a telecom service provider (TSP) agnostic platform to provide free data to users. The Internet Freedom Foundation, which includes members of the volunteer driven savetheinternet coalition, said there is no need to have a TSP agnostic platform for free data.

“Because when users start deciding which sites to visit based on which sites are willing to subsidise them, we are enabling established or large companies to indirectly choke competition using money power. The Internet should exist as an equal platform where the most innovative succeed, not the richest,” IFF said in its submission.

On the other hand, Member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrasekhar said there was a need to have TSP agnostic platforms. He said there was “a need to have TSP agnostic platforms that can provide a service of Reimbursement to users by websites/apps”. IFF argued that such a model violates the regulator’s February decision to ban differential pricing models on the Internet.

Trai issued the consultation paper on May 19 exploring ways of providing mobile internet access to consumers for free, without violating a ban on discriminatory pricing of data services. The paper came under criticism from several quarters, as it appears to violate the landmark decision on differential pricing by Trai in February.
Chandrasekhar added that, “to ensure net neutrality, these platforms should be permitted to enter into commercial agreements with only websites that are being promoted and/or consumers, and are expressly prohibited from doing so directly with Telcos/TSPs.”

The paper asked four questions about offering free data to consumers, and had suggested three models for providing free data — one, a toll-free platform for users where browsing will be free; two, consumers paying upfront and subsequently reimbursed; and three, applications that reward users with incentives such as recharge for data or voice usage.

In response to the question on regulating such TSP platforms, Chandrasekhar submitted that “collaborative regulation with other regulators that must be explored and developed”, while IFF said “regulatory intervention is needed to further augment the existing regulations on discriminatory pricing of data”.

IFF said the most suitable model to create equal access was equal rating. “The models suggested in the present consultation paper require further scrutiny and regulatory intervention,” it said.