Just In
- just now You Can Play Cyberpunk 2077 for Free on Your Sony PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S: Here’s How
- 22 min ago Realme 12x 5G Price in India Confirmed Ahead of April 2 Launch
- 1 hr ago Garena Free Fire Max Redeem Codes for March 27: Get Access to the Latest In-game Loot
- 1 hr ago WhatsApp’s Upcoming Feature Will Let You Send HD Photos and Videos Automatically
Don't Miss
- Sports SRH vs MI My11Circle Prediction IPL 2024 Match 8: HYD vs MUM Fantasy Tips, Expert Picks
- Automobiles Maryland Mourns: Baltimore Bridge Collapses In Ship Collision, Six Presumed Dead
- News BMTC Bus Conductor Slaps Woman Passenger, Authorities Suspend Him | Viral Video
- Movies Marakkuma Nenjam OTT Release Date And Platform: Here's Where To Watch VJ Rakshan's Movie Online
- Education JMI changes UG and PG entrance exam dates amid to Lok Sabha Elections
- Finance Adani Green, Adani Power Rally As Group Targets 45 GW Renewable Energy Capacity by 2030
- Lifestyle Are You Using High Pillow? You May Want To Reconsider Your Decision And Bid Goodbye To Morning Woes
- Travel Learn About the Types of US Visas Available for Indian Immigrants and the Visa Process
Airtel Zero, internet.org defeat net neutrality concept: MTNL
State-run MTNL has said Bharti Airtel's 'zero rating plan' and RCom's 'internet.org' scheme defeat the basic concept of net neutrality and such pacts should not be allowed as they affect economic interests of small telecom operators.
"In Airtel 'zero rating plan' and Reliance 'internet.org' these operators have directly negotiated with the application providers. MTNL is of the view that in any case, direct negotiations between OTT players and TSPs should not be allowed," the telecom operator said in its counter comments submitted to sectoral regulator TRAI.
Recommended: Top 20 High-end Smartphones Available on EMI In India
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on March 27 came out with a consultation paper on over-the-top (OTT) players such as WhatsApp and Skype with April 24 and May 8 as the last dates for submission of comments and counter comments, respectively.
The regulator received over 10 lakh comments from various telecom firms, associations and individuals while the number of counter-comments stood at 42. TRAI, which is examining the comments, is yet to give its final recommendations on the Net Neutrality.
Recommended: Top 10 Best Smartphones with 4GB RAM and 3GB RAM To Buy In India
MTNL in its comments said that if direct negotiations are allowed, regional operators not being in position to negotiate with established over-the-top (OTT) players may result in denial of access to such OTT services to their subscribers or the users have to pay a higher cost.
"In any of the cases, the basic concept of net neutrality i.e. 'No discrimination/favour for any specific OTT service/s in terms of cost and access to subscribers' will be defeated," MTNL said.
The operator, which offers services in Delhi and Mumbai, said if direct negotiations are allowed, economic interests of small regional operators, restricted with limited licensed service area will be badly affected.
"The small operators having limited operating presence and subscriber base, will not have bargaining power to negotiate with OTT service providers, as compared to large players having wider geographical presence of operations," MTNL said.
The operator said situation may not provide an equitable opportunity to all players and will lead to exploitation of small regional operators by OTT service providers and large telcos.
MTNL, however, suggested a revenue share model with OTT service providers, to compensate infrastructure cost, spectrum fee, license fee and other corporate taxes borne by telcos.
The terms/quantum for such revenue sharing arrangement should be decided by the regulator (in absolute terms and not ceilings) and should not be left to negotiations between TSPs and OTT service providers," MTNL added.
Telecom operators including Airtel, Vodafone, RCom as well as associations such as COAI have proposed to bring OTT communications services under a licencing regime. The telecom operators also said they should be allowed to offer services based on mutual agreements with the OTT players.
Internet service providers though said that bringing OTT players under a licensing regime will result in "negative unforeseen
consequences" for technology start-ups and ecosystem. A major public uproar was witnessed recently, especially on social media, alleging violation of net neutrality principle by platforms like Airtel Zero and Internet.org, where Facebook has partnered with Reliance Communications in India.
Source: PTI
-
99,999
-
1,29,999
-
69,999
-
41,999
-
64,999
-
99,999
-
29,999
-
63,999
-
39,999
-
1,56,900
-
1,39,900
-
1,29,900
-
79,900
-
65,900
-
12,999
-
96,949
-
16,499
-
38,999
-
49,999
-
30,700
-
36,999
-
38,999
-
1,17,840
-
35,000
-
23,960
-
82,510
-
16,258
-
25,999
-
26,999
-
31,999