India set to lose Net Neutrality? Act now

Alaka Yeravadekar
Alaka Yeravadekar
from Pune
9 years ago

This topic is very much related to blogging in terms of internet access.

What is Net Neutrality?

As per this article http://www.medianama.com/2014/11/223-net-neutrality-simple-explanation/

Telecom operators/ISPs are access services providers, and can control either how much you access, what you access, how fast you access and how much you pay to access content and services on the Internet.

It’s important for access to knowledge, services and free speech, as well as freedom and ease of doing business online, for this access to be neutral:

– All sites must be equally accessible - The same access speed at the telco/ISP level for each (independent of telco selection) – The same data cost for access to each site (per KB/MB).

This means, Net Neutrality is about: – No telecom-style licensing of Internet companies (see this and this) – No gateways (Internet.org, Airtel OneTouch Internet, Data VAS), censorship or selection; – No speeding up of specific websites (that may or may not pay telcos) – No “zero rating” or making some sites free over others (and that goes for you too, Wikipedia and twitter).

Folks, please go through these links to understand better.

Action needs to be taken soon.

How you can act: https://www.change.org/p/rsprasad-trai-don-t-allow-differential-pricing-of-services-let-consumers-choose-how-they-want-to-use-internet-netneutrality

To gain some understanding of the situation: http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/pj61D8cXPVQXwO0UJnd67I/The-Airtel-Zero-idea-Splitting-Indias-Internet-into-many-I.html

Thanks,

Edited 9 years ago
Reason: formatting
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Alaka Yeravadekar
Alaka Yeravadekar
from Pune
9 years ago
Moderator, do something to format the post so the links in it show up clearly. This is critical for us all. Thanks.
Alaka Yeravadekar
from Pune
9 years ago

Ok, I've managed to format it.

Gaurab
Gaurab
from New Delhi
9 years ago

Net neutrality is a good concept for US but we can't implement it here. We are demographically a different country with different socio-economic distributions. We need internet.org and government led services being offered free over internet. 

I disagree with the proposal. The only people who can support this thing will be large profit earning telecos and huge profit making internet companies.

I feel there are large number of people who will never be able to use internet if they are not provided a scheme like internet.org or others. It is necessary that internet penetrates the remotest area. I think a greater understanding about the pupose of internet and the situation of our country is needed here.

HR
HR
from Bangalore
9 years ago

Ye tho Dish TV wala khissa hogaya hai... dish-yum, dish-yum...Yell

Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

television has about 100 odd channels...internet has millions sites..i dont think they can control to that extent.

HR
from Bangalore
9 years ago

They may control reputed, business and most traffic sites to earn revenue Tongue out. They won't control rest of the million sites since they don't give any benefit to them due to low level or never traffic or business. They will update their list often who give benefit to them.

Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

yes you are right...but point is we are already paying to access them...is anything coming in your computer free? i just recharged my dongle today.. :s

HR
from Bangalore
9 years ago

Yes, everyone has to recharge whether it is for personal or official usage, the same will happen when the new process come (recharge, recharge and continue to pay). However, the problem is for end user of course on selected well known website access since they started a kind of monopoly and ghaabra business (e.g. Dish TV type) after FB started some initiative and net users across India came to know the benefits so far service providers got. Laughing On the other hand, what service provider says is like, their huge saving used to invest for the next upgrade on technology. So, overall both (user and service providers) have advantage and disadvantage in this business.

@Nandini Deka: Basically, they can charge differently for different sites/apps. Like for example, they may start charging additional amount for phone calls over the Internet (using apps like Viber and whatsApp).  Or may be for an Internet pack for facebook would come in x amount, but for whatsApp, it may come in higher prices. So basically, different prices for different kinds of data. Whereas, right now, internet charges is same irrespective of websites/apps. Whereas right now, it is calculated on the amount of data being used, some time later, they may apply an additional factor- of what kind of data, and from which website you are using.

Doesn't it make any difference for you?

Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

no..hypothetical situations and over imaginations dont make difference to me....from all sites ive read abt the topic...most are assumptions..this may happen..that may happen...whereas from what i understand..there may be free packages ( that may exclude some apps/sites - its free so why complain if some stuff are missing ) and paid packages ( which will include all and which we are anyways paying ). 

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

@Nandini: It's not hypothetical. Do you remember how Airtel had tried to come out with a plan to charge more for voice calls over internet? (They had almost finalized it, but it was later ditched due to legal technicalities and public anger). Also, you probably haven't read the Govt version of Consultation seeking document, where TRAI tries to come to the defense of Telecome Operators, as to how they are losing their money due to these messaging/calling apps.

I rated Flipkart 1 Star in Google Play after learning that they are opposing net neutrality !!

http://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/net-neutrality-supporters-downrate-flipkart-app-after-co-founder-supports-airtel-zero-679939?utm_source=ndtv&utm_medium=top-stories-widget&utm_campaign=story-18-http%3A%2F%2Fgadgets.ndtv.com%2Finternet%2Fnews%2Fnet-neutrality-supporters-downrate-flipkart-app-after-co-founder-supports-airtel-zero-679939

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
I too!! :P

Note to author: The attached link, the one from medianama site, is not relevant to this issue. That article explains net neutrality from US perspective, whereas in India the voices are being raised due to an entirely different issue (different pricing, selective package etc). This article explains better:- trak.in/tags/business/2015/03/31/trai-ott-license-net-neutrality-threatened/

Also, Govt of India, through TRAI, has come out with a consultation document, in which it explains the issue and put forth 20 questions, asking all the "stakeholders" to give email responses on them by a specific given date. (Just that they never specified who the "stakeholders" are). That document can be downloaded from the TRAI official website, in the "latest consultations" section.

Alaka Yeravadekar
from Pune
9 years ago
I wanted to bring this issue to the notice of the indiblogger community, and included links I thought useful. It's good to see the discussion. Hope you have also seen the petition at change.org I have posted that link too. As for the ambiguity about stakeholders, that's not a new thing. But each of us is a stakeholder in this matter, imo.
Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
@Alaka: hmm Nice initiative from you no doubt. This issue really deserves every attention. Even though nothing is finalised yet, people need to be aware what may be coming to reality in future. Good that you created the thread (Y)

Here are 4 crucial questions (out of 20) asked by Govt of India ( through TRAI), that indicates clearly which way it is headed:-

Question 3: Is the growth of OTT impacting the traditional revenue stream of TSPs? If so, is the increase in data revenues of the TSPs sufficient to compensate for this impact? Please comment with reasons.

Question 4: Should the OTT players pay for use of the TSPs network over and above data charges paid by consumers? If yes, what pricing options can be adopted? Could such options include prices based on bandwidth consumption? Can prices be used as a means of product/service differentiation? Please comment with justifications.

Question 13: Should TSPs be allowed to implement non-price based discrimination of services? If so, under what circumstances are such practices acceptable? What restrictions, if any, need to be placed so that such measures are not abused? What measures should be adopted to ensure transparency to consumers? Please comment with justifications.

Question 14: Is there a justification for allowing differential pricing for data access and OTT communication services? If so, what changes need to be brought about in the present tariff and regulatory framework for telecommunication services in the country? Please comment with justifications.

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

OTT- Over the Top- It included almost everything we use on smartphones, all kind of smartphone apps- FB,twitter, WhatsApp, shopping apps.

Ranjith
Ranjith
from hyderabad
9 years ago

I don't find anything wrong with Airtel Zero. :s

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
It's not only about Airtel zero. This is just a beginning. Telecom Operators are fighting back to get their share of profit, and there will be many more things to come. You just need to go through the 20 questions asked by TRAI, to get an idea of what all things the Govt is mulling. Differential pricing may be a reality, getting a new app registered (and pay fee) too might be mandatory. And there could be many more things. In any case, the Airtel zero concept will set a very wrong precedent, by prioritizing a specific section of websites, hence dividing the Internet world.
Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

why not think it from a poor man's perspective...how many people can afford 4g, 3g or even 2g in india?? lets say theres a person named Sankat...who just about saves enough to buy a smartphone or maybe is still paying EMI on it ...its hard for him to afford the current data packages...so with schemes like internet.org, airtel zero etc he gets free net access. he may get limited sites/apps on it...but atleast he gets access which otherwise he wouldnot. isnt that a good thing?.....it wont affect rest of us who can afford and are paying for net...that's not going to change ( atleast i'm not convinced that it will ). and even if other telecoms try these free packages...they'll still have to keep the normal paid internet ( the one we are using ) open....cos all their free packages will have limited apps/sites...so not all customers will opt for them..except perhaps poor ones.

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
Helping poor people? Really!! That doesn't convince me a bit. "Free" would have been good if it would have been for a noble cause (like make all government and NGO sites free to access). But is making flipkart free, really doing good in larger sense? No, Absolutely No. Is Airtel doing charity by making a few sites'/apps free? No. Like for example in this case, flipkart will pay Airtel for this. So now, is flipkart doing charity? That's anyone's guess :) So thing is, you are making a few lavish things free, that too on highly selective basis. How does it make difference? It makes difference in two ways:- First, it is anti-choice. Second, it is like proxy-cheating. It is anti-choice not only because you are restricting buyers to flipkart, it's anti-choice, also because, in the long run, users may become so familiar, and so habituated to flipkart, that may never even wish to go for other shopping websites. It will be kind of garnering fake trust by giving things free. And it is proxy-cheating too, because you have access to ONLY flipkart, so initially they can keep prices low to gain trust, later they may hike the price and people may not even bother. In fact many people may not even come to know of higher price, as they may not have access to other websites, and moreover they would have grown some trust in the site. In any case, this is the standard cheating tactics- give something for free, when you have made them habituated to it, increase the price of commodities to make up up for the freebies. People may not even know, people may not even complain. So basically, making commercial things free, smells of conspiracy, just another corporate marketing tricks. It should never be supported. If you are really concerned about helping poor, make those sites free which are necessary for use- like google(for search), all Govt websites (for information gathering), all NGO websites, and may be similar. But making commercial websites free, is a sure-shot cheating in disguise. Corporates do not do charity. They have come for profits.
Amit Pattnaik
from New Delhi
9 years ago

+100 Shantinath Smile One couldn't have explained any better Smile 

The Sorcerer
from Mumbai
9 years ago

Lets' not forget the fact that such apps are not properly maintained where users will have little or no hassle. Imagine the money spilled by the end user in bandwidth wastage when the app doesn't work properly. I seriously doubt either flipkart or airtel will optimize their apps regularly. 

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

Thanks a lot Amit Smile  SmileAmit Pattnaik

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

@The Sorcerer: Bandwidh wastage should be a cause of worry for Airtel and flipkart only(more expenses in giving free access), not for us. So I think that is not an issue here.

Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

aare....if you dont like free version...you take the paid version....( i'm saying all this only with the understanding that normal paid version like we are currently using will still continue, else i'll also protestWink ), and i'll take free version. ...it'll also give choice which options i/users like...free or paid....and no flipkart cannot keep more prices more than MRP at any cost, for that companies too will have to increase prices specially for flipkart while keeping retail offline prices diff...do you think its possible or some hallucination some of you are havingLaughing what if supposedly flipkart do increase prices...but snapdeal who is not part of airtel reduces theirs by half...will flipkart be able to keep the monopoly as you are suggesting? and in anycase flipkart do increases prices...customers will be smart enough to go back shopping the old way from normal offline shops....atleast thats what i'll do.

Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

and its not as if flipkart will be available only on airtel...it's available on other networks too, right?...will it have increased prices with airtel users ( so called monopoly you are suggesting ) and diff prices for other network users?  does it even make sense o.O

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

Nandini Deka: Well flipkart does keep prices higher than other shopping sites (in many cases). Should I start giving you proof of some specific commodities being sold on flipkart for higher price than on other shopping sites? And do you realize that online shoppers still choose to buy higher priced version of the commodity? Reason is simple, price is not everything. Trust, simplicity of buying, customer care, so many factors play role in decision of buying. 

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

and no, if they will increase price, they will increase everywhere, not only on Airtel. But again, why increase the price to run some trick-campaign?

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

also, it's not about MRP. Online shopping sites always sell below MRP. So MRP just doesn't come into picture here.

Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

is the price higher than MRP? i'm sure they cant go beyond MRP rates at any cost...it'll be illegal. and if customers are already knowingly paying higher charge compared to other sites, then what exactly is the problem...its their choice....i guess other online shopping portals need to give good services ( and they can if they don't want to lose out )..you can really blame flipkart here can you?

Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

 Online shopping sites always sell below MRP. So MRP just doesn't come into picture here.

 

so the monopoly conspiracy theory goes out of the window, Smile

Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

can't really blame* typo

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
@Nandini: Keeping price below MRP, has got nothing to do with enforcing "anti-choice" on shoppers. I just mentioned MRP thing because you used MRP in you comment to make your point. The point still remains, you are luring customers by giving freebies. And initially, you talked about poor customers, those who can't afford 3G/2G, that's why I explained how flipkart could do anything(pricing). How do you expect shoppers to go to other cheaper priced shopping site, when they are just not aware of that, or can't access that (since they are too poor to afford according to you only).
Ranjith
from hyderabad
9 years ago

make those sites free which are necessary for use- like google(for search)

Why only Google? Why not Bing or Yahoo? :s

And let me tell you that making only Google Search free would be useless. You search, you get the results but what next? How will you access those websites.

Few weeks ago, I had some problem with my net connection and I could access only https websites (like Google Search). I could search for everything but couldn't open any of the websites in the search results. 

Ranjith
from hyderabad
9 years ago

Isn't IB luring bloggers with HH? Shouldn't all sponsors be forced to spend equal amount on money on IB, BA, BM etc etc? :s

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
@Ranjith: Search for information and then go to that website. It should open if it's an essential service website (Govt/NGO etc). If not, you shouldn't be able to access for free. But your point that "why Google only", is good enough point.
Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

yes i used MRP...becos you used the terms conspiracy etc..as long as they cant mess around mrp how will it be monopoly or prize increase as you suggested....also you mentioned they already sell at higher price so why not stop them now too?

 

 

customers are poor...and not illiterate right? atleast if they use smartphone i guess they'll know to read stuff. its not difficult to do google/bing or watever search options they'll have and find where cheaper price is available....so in case they are cheated...they'll find out. search options wont show only flipkart will it o.O and you are talking as if only airtel will be the network people have... o.O LOL...over imagnation at its heightsLaughing

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
Yes, IB is luring with HH. But IB is not so important as the very basic thing Internet access itself. So that's a non-issue here. The issue is not that you shouldn't "lure", the issue is what grave impact your petty "luring" may cause.
Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
@Nandini: I am focussing on Airtel example just to make a point. But you are not willing to understand. Of course there will be other networks, and they will start their own packs similar to Airtel ones, may be they will start their pack with jabong. But the scenario will remain same- blocking of free choices due to non-uniformity in Internet access.
Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

i disagree...as i still believe...people will have option to take the paid version as we currently haveSmile...so why keep hammering the free version??? dont like free version...take paid version...stay happy...simple....all these consipratory theories you are suggesting are bunch of over imaginatioon/hallucination or whatever.LaughingCool

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
I have made my point abundantly clear, how a selective freeway could prove to be dangerous in the long run. Now it's upto people to decide whether they consider it just as a wild imagination/hallucinations, or a wise prediction/calculation of how things could turn up to be in future :) :)
Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

ignore the freeway and take the paidway...they are not gonna stop the paid version...the one we currently use..and theres no danger at all....flipkart or whoever cannot mess with MRP and will always sell below mrp (you only said that) so price increase thingy or having monopoly etc is also over imagination ( they sell currently higher too, why not object that as well?) . anyways #OkBye 

Clementia DSouza
Clementia DSouza
from Mumbai
9 years ago

@Shantinath you put ur point across well. Thumbs up for the correct viewpoint. I agree with the current plans of internet and not to pay individually for what I want to browse over the internet.

If its about reaching to the remote areas and making them internet savy I guess we all pay enough of taxes and Govt can have some plans to make free internet usage in the remote areas or at subsidized rates. 

Why should users bear the cost of getting technologically advanced features of calling and texting over the internet.

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

Thanks Clementia Smile As  for free internet access in remote areas, well, even private players could be invited for that, but focus should be on making free the esential services websites, not the commercial/profitables ones.

HR
HR
from Bangalore
9 years ago

Ye itna sannata kyu hai bhai Tongue out

U K
from Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
9 years ago

Sab soch me pad gaye Baba ki baat sunke Hafeez...

I speak what is the truth..

If this happens, we cant do anything against it...PERIOD.

Tarun Singh
Tarun Singh
from New Delhi
9 years ago

For people, who still have not got the point of net neutrality, this will happen if actions are not taken in fabour of net neutrality.

<img>http://telecomtalk.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/18012015_102531.png</img>

HR
from Bangalore
9 years ago

Isme IB ka naam nahi daala hai na? Free hai kya?

Tarun Singh
from New Delhi
9 years ago

Any website, which is not listed, will be charged extra.

HR
from Bangalore
9 years ago

So, billions of sites are not listed over there then does it means they are going to be charged heavier than Google  / FB price list?

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
People will say it is fake and hyper-imagination. :)
Ranjith
from hyderabad
9 years ago

Why is Hike messaging free? And what is Hike? :s

HR
from Bangalore
9 years ago

Hike is an application as same as WhatsApp Cool. There are few apps like that available.

Ranjith
from hyderabad
9 years ago

Why is it free? :s

HR
from Bangalore
9 years ago

They (Hike / WhatsApp / Telegram / WeChat etc.) need you or me or others to download free and use it for chat/photo/video to get our personal detail beside their app traffic. Tongue out

Ranjith
from hyderabad
9 years ago

I wasn't asking why the app is free. I was asking why it would be free even if net is made non-neutral (or whatever it is called) (According to the image posted by Ts http://telecomtalk.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/18012015_102531.png )

HR
from Bangalore
9 years ago

Yes, there will be many apps and thousands of website's access could be free and they hardly mention them except paid one on the list. Hike, Telegram, other traffic less websites or business less websites, accessing my blog and so on can be free which they can't list them out all except very few to let other understand on this.

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
@Hafeez: I think Your understanding is wrong. As is being flouted around, as shown to be depicted in the pic, there are three categories of services- Free, paid through specific packs, and paid through a general data pack(just like we do right now). Anything which is Free, means the money is paid for the consumer, by that app/site. Like in this case, Hike owner will pay the money to Telecom providers in order to have it made free. Anything not in image means, those apps/sites will need a general data pack for it to be accessed (general data pack, the kind as in practice right now).
HR
from Bangalore
9 years ago

@SC, I said just access free for many vs/against access paid for some. Access free doesn't mean it is completely free for us as long as we are already paying monthly for Data package. So, no free at all. But in this new system, we have to pay an extra amount for accessing selected / listed websites in addition to monthly data package. That's it.

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
@Hafeez: Ok, yes you seem right. This image probably didn't take the Airtel zero concept in mind. You are right, as per the assumption of this image, only two categories- paid with general data pack(but slow speed), special paid through extra packs, making us spened over and above the data charges.
HR
from Bangalore
9 years ago

Yaar, from the very beginning I am telling the short and sweet with an example though not precise (you can check all my responses) but 'beat around the bush' story happened or going on. Thus, I have to handle case to case basis. However, SC - you have listed all the detail tariff of each Telecom company for different net packages in detail that leads to confusion for few. Anyhow, Om Shaanthi Om Laughing.

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
@Hafeez: Where have I put the detailed tariff details of various telecom companies? The image link posted is by Tarun, not by me :)
Tarun Singh
from New Delhi
9 years ago

Hike is shown free because it is owned by Bharti Enterprises who owns Airtel. BTW WhatsApp is their biggest competitor so I think this anti net neutrality cartel is led by Airtel. They were the first who started charging VOIP calls but later revoked due to public outrage. You can log on to www.savetheinternet.in to email TRAI in just two clicks. Make your voice count. Otherwise the situation in picture will come true after 24th April. 

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
That's the point Tarun. People forget that Airtel had already come up with a plan to charge extra for calls over internet. People think that it's hoax being spread that Govt can give a ho-ahead for charging different for diff kind of data. Sad thing is, to check for the facts they don't even bother reading the official version of documents published by Government. On top of that, some people starts making joke of it.
In any case, this thread was not about the "Airtel Zero" concept. It was about a much bigger issue. Govt is serious about the losses being incurred by Telecom companies due to chatting/calling apps. So they are seriously considering differential pricing, non-price discrimination, and charging app makers for the data they use for the apps. All these 3-4 issues are much bigger than the Airtel zero concept. So let's not get stuck to that.
Amit Pattnaik
from New Delhi
9 years ago

But what losses? The telecom companies never suffered any losses whatsoever, just as the petroleum companies never did. Like you wrote earlier, these private companies aren't doing this to provide net access to the poor, rather they are only looking to earn more profits. Ever since apps and VOIPs like Skype and Whatsapp came through, the profit margins of these companies decreased a bit comparatively. This is another way of hoodwinking people. 

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
@Amit: By "losses" I meant decrease in profits only. ("loss of profits" in short) :)
Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

i want to get stuck there for a while....make it clear to me...besides the free option like airtel zero...won't the paid option be available or not -- like the one we are using to access all sites. the free option of limited apps is not thrust forcefully upon consumers, is it? they'll still have option to opt the regular paid one to access, right....can you make that clear first?

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
@Nandini: :) Yes, paid option will always be there. :)
Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

so...thats what i'm saying all along...as long as its there, why would the free thingy matter to me...i'll use the paid option and use net unhindered. simple.

Amit Pattnaik
Amit Pattnaik
from New Delhi
9 years ago

Ukhaad paayenge yaa nahin, woh to baad ki baat hai, Par haan, sab log agar haath pe haath dhare bethe rahe, to definitely kuch nahin hogaa. Like someone wrote here, "to each his own", then why not let those who are protesting to protest? 

U K
from Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
9 years ago

Smile

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
In anycase, the issue was never about- "Kya ukhaar loge". Some people can't even understand the topic of thread :) :)
U K
from Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
9 years ago

Yes, The only one who understand it has the best Indirank score..Just checked..Tongue out

I am sorry I even put up a statement. Looking at the Indirank score, I rest my case. I am nowhere near such a BIGWIG of the industry. Tongue out

Please pardon me your majesty and forgive my childish behaviour. It is you who has been sent by the Supreme Lord to enlighten us and make us wise. Please also improve your frequency of writing, publishing and visiting threads as it appears to my childish self that you are walking on a thin thread yourself, reflecting your seriousness of "any kind of blogging" and gives the impression to my less educated self, that you are commenting only out of the fear of the raised internet bill you might have to pay if this happens by end of April 2015.

I would also want to tell your kind self Sir that we all have studied our little bit on this topic with the little bits of resources available to us at the moment, as against the vast ocean of knowledge you have at your disposal. So O learned and wise Sir, if you have a solution please tell us rather than just trying to tell many of us here that we are fools and you are the only learned person. We all respect you for the immensly knowledgable brains you have been gifted by the Supreme Lord and we would want to keep the respect intact.

Once again, let me assure you Sir that I am no where close to you in anything in the Blogging world. O gifted one, please forgive me..

Tongue outTongue out 

"Om Shanti Om"

Clementia DSouza
Clementia DSouza
from Mumbai
9 years ago

I guess we all have a proper solution do watch AIB video on the same

AIB : Save The Internet: https://youtu.be/mfY1NKrzqi0

Nikhil
from Thane
9 years ago

Oops! I posted the same link again Tongue out

Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

i saw that...lots of hypothetical stuff there...

U K
from Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
9 years ago

Thanks Clementia..:)

Nikhil
Nikhil
from Thane
9 years ago

This video makes net neutrality make sense: https://youtu.be/mfY1NKrzqi0

Clementia DSouza
from Mumbai
9 years ago

Atleast the link came in ur reply :P

U K
from Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
9 years ago

Thanks for sharing Nikhil

#SaveTheInternet

 

Everyone, there is some nice discussion and planning going on about this issue on reddit, please visit reddit India page, and just have a look at various threads there- http://i.reddit.com/r/india . Also, it seems after the video by AIB, lots of people have emailed to TRAI in a very short time. Tanmay Bhatt seems to have tweeted to so on twitter (10,000 emails in 3 hrs, he has written). So there is some great progress being made. People are coordinating in a massive way, through reddit, twitter and other ways. . #SaveTheInternet has been trending on twitter and #IndiaWantsNetNeutrality has been trending on top on facebook. All this seems fabulous. People finally seems to be realising the gravity of the situation. For those interested to know more, understand this issue in-depth, below is the link of the TRAI consultation paper, in which they have explained the issue, and has asked for opinions from all the stakeholders by a specific date. CHEERS to NetNeutrality! :) http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReaddata/ConsultationPaper/Document/OTT-CP-27032015.pdf
Amit Pattnaik
Amit Pattnaik
from New Delhi
9 years ago

I thought we could still have a civilised discussion, despite of our differences in opinions, but I find so much vitriol being expressed! Reading a couple of replies here made me feel like opinions are becoming absolute. And I felt a few of the statements got very heated, to the point of being ugly and unpleasant.

Views can differ, the truth can have many facets, and probably some of us might be over-imagining things regarding this net-neutrality issue but still, why would you ridicule us? A few statements have even crossed the line into personal insults.

 

Outright intolerance for another's point of view is still fine with me as long as it isn't done in a vitriolic manner or with lines laced with sarcasm. Even if you feel like someone is being hostile, can't we still be the bigger person and skillfully deal with him or her with icy politeness? Why do we have to escalate the heat with "he or she started it first" approach? I fear if this continues, it may turn into a more heated and acrimonious discussion while the main mudda -- "net-neutrality" -- will take the back-seat! 

 

Tangerine
from Assam
9 years ago

+100

Tanishq
Tanishq
from Mumbai
9 years ago

For those who are against net neutrality - If BlogAdda pays more money to telecom services, those telecom operators will force you to visit that more. Now, did that touch the sensitive part? :P

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

LOL that's a damn funny take on it SealedSmile

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

But people won't believe you that this can even happen Smile

Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

haha...actually i still think its over imagination going on o.O but didn't shantinath say ( i asked him to confirm it )....that general paid services that we are currently using will still continue...? it becomes a problem only if the service we are currently using get disturbed or stopped entirely and free thingy is forced upon us. i believe all these hoo haa is related to free thingy where one will have to pay to access beyond the free packages.,...for those not choosing free option and continuing with the paid one they won't face the issue ( that point no one seems to get it )....i'll protest only if i know for sure that free thingy is dumped on us and general paid option ( the one we use currently ) totally stopped.

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

@Nandini Deka For your sake, I am reposting two very crucial questions again. These questions are asked by TRAI, who are going to make rules in this regard:-

Question 13: Should TSPs be allowed to implement non-price based discrimination of services? If so, under what circumstances are such practices acceptable? What restrictions, if any, need to be placed so that such measures are not abused? What measures should be adopted to ensure transparency to consumers? Please comment with justifications.

Question 14: Is there a justification for allowing differential pricing for data access and OTT communication services? If so, what changes need to be brought about in the present tariff and regulatory framework for telecommunication services in the country? Please comment with justifications.

Question 13 tells that it is very much possible that Govt could frame laws which could enable IB to load slow, and BlogAdda to load faster (or may be viber and whatsAPP).

Question 14 indicates very clearly that Govt could frame laws which could enable different charging rate for differnt kind of data. Like 5 MB of audio calls for Rs 20, but 5 MB of text chat for Rs 5 only.

So all these scenarios are very much possible, is being made clear by none other than the Govt itself. Only thing is that, nothing is finalized yet, and these scenarios may not happen. But enough people will not oppose these things, then they may become a reality. Because there are rich telecom lobbies pushing for these changes!

So I would say to everyone, Know what is at stake. Be aware, act, before it's too late!! Smile

Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

see....if that thing happens in my regular net that i'm using...then i too will oppose...but if its in the free packages then it won't make difference to me. i've asked many times will the regular paid net we are currently using be same or not? and from begining i've tried to stress on that point. read all the comments ive made so far.

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

@Nandini Deka YES, that's the point. It will happen with regular connection only.

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

@Nandini Deka: You had only asked, whether the paid version will remain. And I had said yes it will. You had not asked how the "paid version" will behave. Or whether the paid version will remain completely "untouched", "unchanged". right?

In anycase, you shouldn't believe me or anyone else, Just spend some time reading the document released by Govt. It's a 118 pages documents, and clears everything about it. And it makes it amply clear, that they "may", charge differently for differnet kind of data (video/audio/text etc), and they may slow down a particular website and speed up another (even if you are on  a standard data plan).

Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

well to my understanding...thats more likely to happen with free package services and not paid ones which will give access to all equally. if it happens with regular ones...what on earth is the free package for...it doesnt even make sense...you are saying indirectly that free thingy will be forced on us. :s and i dont believe it.

Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

You had only asked, whether the paid version will remain. And I had said yes it will. You had not asked how the "paid version" will behave. Or whether the paid version will remain completely "untouched", "unchanged". right?

 

i meant the paid service we use currently and that obviously means without any changes and i think i made it clear thousand times :o

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

@Nandini Deka No. Paid version will not remain the same (if the laws being considered comes into affect). That's for sure. You have to believe me. People are up in arms not for nothing. The Airtel Zero is NOT the main issue here. Many renowned people have come forward to support it. They have studied the pros and cons.

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago

i meant the paid service we use currently and that obviously means without any changes and i think i made it clear thousand times :o

But I didn't take it in that sense. I only thought you are asking for paid version will remain or not (i.e. to option to opt for fully functional, no-problem version will remain or not ).

Nandini Deka
from Bombay
9 years ago

yes i meant fully functional..no problem 'paid' version like the one we currently have :o ...if we are paying already to access everything at one go...why the heck will they charge more, all over again? charging more makes sense only if someone has taken a free version and wants to access something that is not available in his free package.

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
@Nandini: Yes they will charge more even if you hve taken the regular pack. That's what their plan is. They are justifying it on the pretext that these free apps use their resources and earn money without giving them any portion of their profit. Moreover these chat apps are causing them loss of profits (as people are using lesser sms and phone calls). So they want to make up for those loos of profits either by over-charging us, or by charging the app makers. Govt of India too seem sympathetic to their logic
Ranjith
from hyderabad
9 years ago

If BlogAdda pays more money to telecom services, those telecom operators will force you to visit that more.

Doesn't sound believable. Innocent

If BA has enough money to pay telecom services, then they will be having enough money to improve their website and also host HHs. In that case,no one will complain about being forced to visit BA instead of IB Tongue out

Brototi Roy
Brototi Roy
from New Delhi
9 years ago

Guys, watch the AIB video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfY1NKrzqi0 that aptly describes what net neutrality is all about, and why we need to fight for it.

And please go to the site savethinternet.in and do your bit to figh cyber discrimination! #savetheinternet

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
Yes, savetheinternet.in is doing great by giving written response. Plus, let's not forget to keep them in bcc, so that the no. of replies sent is recorded. And that AIB video sums up the issue pretty nicely in a very short time.
CyberKID
CyberKID
from India
9 years ago

Do we really have a say here? Since when did the government and its departments start taking inputs of citizens to make crucial laws and frame guidelines and frameworks? Had it been a norm, we would have been somewhere else, instead of lingering where we are now, giving a chance to the major opposition every five years.

Before anyone passes any judgement on my thought processes, as I've seen people doing here in this thread and in hundreds of other places throughout the internet, let me make it very clear, I am neither against or for it, since, this is something, I feel we don't have any control at. Take the example of the now ubiquitous Conditional Access System (enacted by an act of the Parliament of India), the satellite television system (D2H). You get a set top box, get a small dish place it in your home and you get access to the world of television entertainment at your fingers. Really? Do you guys remember what all were we told before this thing came into the market? Consumers will pay for whatever channels they watch, and won't have to pay for anything we don't watch. We will have freedom to choose the channel/channel packages we would like to watch. We will get digital television signals at our home - NO OUTAGES (No one told me that in case of overcast conditions, my TV will also go out). No one told me that I will have to pay hefty charges for each channel I would like to add in my package. No one told me that I will have to pay more and more every year to get entertained over television.

Similarly, I guess those who encountered the introduction ATM's and digital money vending in the Indian Banking system also would recall the things we were told. Free of cost ATM card. No need to come to bank to withdraw money. Little did they tell us that we will have to pay them an amount for ATM service charge every year (exclusive of taxes), then we will have to pay them for sending us messages for transactions happening with our ATM/Debit card (again exclusive of taxes), then we were levied transaction limits and extra charges on transaction from other banks ATM's, and then we were levied limits on transactions with our own bank's ATM networks. One day, they will charge us for even taking out our ATM cards of our wallets.

The thing I am trying to imply is that whatever we do, it's not possible for us to force the government to ignore the benefits of corporates and corporations for the benefit of the masses.

Leave it!

Shantinath Chaudhary
from Hyderabad
9 years ago
No, but we can force the Govt not to make a particular law. As an recent example, take the case of Land Reform Bill, it got stalled. Why it happened so? It happened not only because opposition and Rajya Sabha members opposed, even the public's anger and protests had a role. So even though, Govt is not binded to follow the majority opinion of public, a united public sentiments still can play crucial role in Govt decision making. I heard some politicians too are supporting the cause. So it's not that since, Govt is not binded to listen to us, so why raise voice too!! Thing is if we raise voice enough and in a united way, it is surly going to make an impact in several ways. Only thing is, are we willing to protest and raise voice.

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