Net neutrality: TRAI is seeking your views on these points

Moneycontrol BureauThe Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a pre-consultation paper seeking responses from stakeholders, including telecom operators, Internet companies and consumers, for defining the contours of net neutrality and Internet usage in the country.

The TRAI  has sought suggestions on six key questions on the topic, which has kicked up a storm in the past one year, by June 21.

Here is a list of some of the TRAI’s posers on net neutrality:

• What should be regarded as the core principles of net neutrality in the Indian context? What are the key issues that are required to be considered so that the principles of net neutrality are ensured?

• What are the reasonable traffic management practices that may need to be followed by TSPs while providing Internet access services and in what manner could these be misused? Are there any other current or potential practices in India that may give rise to concerns about net neutrality?

• What should be India's policy and/or regulatory approach in dealing with issues relating to net neutrality? Please comment with justifications.

• What precautions must be taken with respect to the activities of TSPs and content providers to ensure that national security interests are preserved? Please comment with justification.

• What precautions must be taken with respect to the activities of TSPs and content providers to maintain customer privacy?

• What further issues should be considered for a comprehensive policy framework for defining the relationship between TSPs and OTT content providers?

“In the absence of a clear regulatory framework on net neutrality, advanced traffic management techniques can potentially be used by an operator for discriminatory or anti-competitive purposes,” the TRAI has said.

A  recap of net neutrality debate