In a very clear and transparent ruling, TRAI has explicitly said “no service provider shall offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content” and “No Service provider shall enter into any agreement or contract, by whatever name called, with any person, natural or legal, that has the effect of discriminatory tariffs for data services being offered or charged to the consumer on the basis of content.” This move will ensure that the basic tenets of Net Neutrality are followed in India.
The association had taken a ‘no exception standpoint’ against differential pricing. This ruling vindicates the associations stand on the issue. The internet Start-up eco-system and the internet user community are delighted.
IAMAI has also welcomed the move that the TRAI will be the ultimate authority to decide the cases of violations of this ruling and that the decision of the authority is final and binding.
However, the association has a slight concern on the exception and the exception to the exception as to how this entire thing will pan out. The association hopes that the exceptions to the rule will not be misused by the TSPs. The exception states “…regulation shall not apply to tariffs for data services over closed electronic communications networks…”
