Please find
attached link for Net Neutrality Dot Committee Report May 2015, the said report
was not available earlier in the public domain, it has just opened for the public.
DoT’s Net
Neutrality Report recommendations
What is the big takeaway from the DoT committee report on
Net Neutrality?
The Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT’s) Net
Neutrality report says “the core principles of Net Neutrality must be adhered
to”, and that user rights on the Internet need to be protected — so that
service providers are not able to restrict their ability to access any service
on the Internet.
What does it say on the continuing use of OTT messaging
services such as WhatsApp and Skype?
It rejects the demand for regulation of over-the-top (OTT)
messaging services. But the panel is okay with subjecting VoIP calls within the
country to regulation — and calls for a liberal approach on OTT VoIP
international call services. What is unclear is how the government will make
the distinction between VoIP OTTs and Messaging OTTs, as these two spheres are
the same now. The committee has said that while messaging on an OTT service
like WhatsApp should not regulated, if the same app also offers voice-calling
services, they should be subject to regulations that are already in place for
TSPs/ISPs.
So does this
mean TSPs/ISPs have no choice but to continue to allow these OTT messaging
services?
Service
providers cannot regulate messaging services as per the recommendations.
What about
zero-rating platforms like Facebook’s Internet.org and Airtel Zero?
The
committee says that “content and application providers cannot be permitted to
act as gatekeepers” and go against the principles of Net Neutrality. It also
notes that very often the content market sees the rise of a leader, and that if
these end up directing users to “specific content”, it amounts to a violation
of Net Neutrality. Based on what the committee has recommended, Internet.org or
even Airtel Zero rating app will be seen as violating the principle of Net
Neutrality.
What does
the panel say on traffic management practices by TSPs or ISPs?
While the
report is in favour of “legitimate traffic management practices”, it says that
TSPs/ISPs must make adequate disclosures to users about their traffic
management policies. Additionally, traffic management that is “exploitative or
anti-competitive” should not be allowed. Essentially, if a TSP starts, say, a
video-streaming or music service, it cannot slow down the speed of a competing
service of a similar nature on its networks.
Source
| www.dot.gov.in
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