DoT pushes for disallowing Telcos' zero rating plans -1

Via The Economic Times | Jun 30, 2015

"The government could, of course, make an exemption for delivery of essential go
vernment services such as education and health which might be delivered on a pri
ority basis," the official explained. The report has further indicated that the
policy on net neutrality must promote competition and encourage startup culture
in the country, another official said. "Competition must be promoted, and not hi
ndered." It has also stated that ISPs, including telecom operators, should be di
sallowed from using 'traffic management' as a technique to slow down certain con
tent. "ISPs, including telecom operators, must be allowed reasonable and legitim
ate traffic management provided the techniques don't violate the basic principle
s of net neutrality," the second official said. A fortnight ago, the US telecom
regulator, the Federal Communications Commission had slapped a $100-million fine
on AT&T alleging the telecom giant was intentionally slowing down internet spee
ds to its unlimited data subscribers after they consumed a certain amount of dat
a. This, the commission said, amounted to a lack of transparency on the company'
s part. Earlier this year, the FCC, prodded by US President Barack Obama, embrac
ed net neutrality. The DoT committee, set up in January this year, met over 45 o
rganisations including Facebook, Google, Flipkart, Amazon, Paytm, Viber and Skyp
e and telecom service providers as well as various public interest groups before
submitting the report.