Net Neutrality promotes equitable access to internet: Nasscom

Bengaluru, Nov 28 : Endorsing the telecom regulator's recommendation for Net Neutrality, Indian IT apex body Nasscom on Tuesday said the multi-stakeholder approach would promote equitable access to internet for every citizen.

"As Net Neutrality is core to the digital economy, we welcome the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) commitment to preserve the democracy of the internet and user rights to freedom of speech and expression," said the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) in a statement here.

TRAI earlier in the day said internet services should be non-discriminatory and suggested a legal body to monitor violations.

"Internet access services should be governed by a principle that restricts any form of discrimination or interference in the treatment of content, including practices like blocking, degrading, slowing down or granting preferential speeds or treatment to any content," said the regulator in its recommendations on Net Neutrality.

In its response, Nasscom said: "As India undergoes data revolution, the regulator's recommendations are in line with our view for unrestrained access to all lawful content and services but subject to national security and privacy.

"Our view has been that net neutrality does not prevent consistent and reasonable traffic management practices with provisions to deal with situations like unforeseeable transitory congestion, specific security threats or prioritisation for emergency services as required in the larger public interest." 

Lauding the involvement of content providers, service providers, access providers, research, and academia to monitor violations and make recommendations to the authority on regulations and standards, Nasscom said such a uniform approach would facilitate fair, alert and effective implementation of Net Neutrality.

"The recommendations will also ensure a level-playing field for OTT (over-the-top) service providers to customise even new services to every individual. The reforms should be evaluated and implemented," it added.

Noting that the reforms would prevent telecom firms from discriminating content, Institute of Finance and International Management's Assistant Professor Pritam Kumar said access to all services would enable better internet services and more freedom to netizens.