Trai to extend deadline for comments on net neutrality to January 7

Telecom regulator Trai is extending by a week, to January 7, the last date for receiving comments on its paper on differential data pricing -- a key aspect of the raging debate on net neutrality. "It is being extended to January 7, primarily due to extension requests of COAI and AUSPI," an official source told PTI. The deadline for comment on the paper was ending today. Although the paper by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) does not mention or use the term net neutrality, it details the idea of zero-rating platforms that have stirred up the big debate across the country on the issue. Trai has received about 16.5 lakh comments -- highest ever on any paper floated by it till date, the official said. As per sources, comments received through Facebook or Free Basics platform are around 8 lakh. The regulator has also received similar number of messages from people opposing Facebook's Free Basics and other zero-rating programmes, and about 3,000 individual messages. As per SavetheInternet forum, the net neutrality principle says that internet service providers should not block or discriminate against any applications or content that rides over their networks. Facebook has launched campaign where it is asking users to support Free Basics scheme under which the user can access some websites for free without paying internet charges. The regulator had received over 10 lakh comments on first consultation that it floated around net neutrality.

Trai aims to resolve some neutrality issues by early 2016

As the debate over net neutrality resurfaces, telecom regulator Trai has said that it is looking to solve the issues "part-by-part" and also aiming to come up with the final guidelines based on the views received from different stakeholders, by early 2016. "We expect to resolve some of the (issues pertaining to) the basic principles of net neutrality next year," Trai chairman RS Sharma told PTI in an interview. As per SavetheInternet forum, the net neutrality principle says that internet service providers should not block or discriminate against any applications or content that ride over those networks. A debate on net neutrality stirred across the country after Airtel decided to charge separately for internet-based calls but withdrew it later after people protested. Internet activists and experts flayed the operator for 'Airtel Zero' service along with Facebook's internet.org service, currently renamed 'Free Basics'. "Just as your phone company shouldn't decide who you can call and what you say on that call, your ISP (internet service provider) shouldn't be concerned with the content you view or post online," says the forum. However, there are issues between telecom operators, internet-based companies and consumer interest which has to be balanced by the regulator. Amid debate over zero-rating plans and telecom firms offering discounted tariffs for accessing certain websites, Trai issued a consultation paper seeking comments on whether such differential pricing should be allowed. Facebook's Internet.org had partnered with Reliance Communications in February this year to provide free internet access to many websites as part of the initiative. "When some issues are big, you need to resolve them part-by-part. We are currently dealing with the issues as they arrive," Sharma said. The 20 most beautiful women of 2015Risottop.com The Ultimate Way to Get Cheap Hotel RoomsSave70