“This content has been blocked by your service provider” Have you come across such a line while opening up websites? This means that access to this content is not available to everyone. You may have to pay for getting access to this content.
Net neutrality is the principle that all internet users must have equal access to all content and applications. Net Neutrality means an Internet that enables and protects free speech. It means that Internet service providers should provide us with open networks — and should not block or discriminate against any applications or content that ride over those networks. Just as our phone company shouldn’t decide who we can call and what we say on that call, our Internet Service Provider (ISP) shouldn’t be concerned with the content we view or post online.
The citizens should have the right to net neutrality which will support a competitive market place and will provide a place for all firms in their growth.The main disadvantages of the net neutrality that telecom companies argue is that companies like Google and Facebook have created the services that allow the people to make calls for free on networks that telecom companies have spent billions to build due to which net neutrality is an injustice to these companies.
The Internet users in India has grown at an exceptional pace since 1991 sand this has been largely because of the freedoms, protections and various other benefits that net neutrality has offered. Ideas and products like YouTube, Google, Twitter, Flipkart, Snapdeal, eBay have been growing and the funding that these companies receive is largely owed to the fact that these companies are having the groundbreaking ideas of the 21st century.
There are no laws which enforce net neutrality in India. The Information Technology Act, 2000 does not prohibit companies from throttling their service in accordance with their business interests. Some companies in India have violated the net neutrality. Violations in India are Facebook’s Internet.org, Aircel’s Wikipedia Zero,Aircel’s free access to Facebook and WhatsApp, Airtel’s free access to Google, and Reliance’s free access to Twitter.
This blog is written by Samsan Simon, CFA Level 1 Candidate Semester III, MBA (FA), ICoFP Delhi campus.
