Father of internet congratulates India for strong net neutrality rules

Tweeting an article about the ruling by TRAI barring differential pricing, father of the internet, Tim Barners-Lee congratulated India on passing strong net neutrality rules. Earlier, he had stated that, "In the particular case of somebody who's offering … something which is branded internet, it's not internet, then you just say no. No it isn't free, no it isn't in the public domain, there are other ways of reducing the price of internet connectivity and giving something … [only] giving people data connectivity to part of the network deliberately, I think is a step backwards."

Read more: Father of internet wants you to 'say no' to Facebook's Free Basics

On the other hand, Facebook and cellular operators cried foul.

"We congratulate TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) for enshrining the principles of net neutrality and non-discriminatory access, which was highlighted in our submission to it," IT industry representative body Nasscom president R. Chandrashekhar said in a statement from New Delhi.

However, Facebook said it would continue its efforts to eliminate barriers and give the unconnected an easier path to internet.

"Our goal with Free Basics is to bring more people online with an open, non-exclusive and free platform," a Facebook spokespersons told IANS.

Nasscom's internet council chairman Sanjeev Bhikchandani said the favourable ruling would help address concerns of start-ups on lack of level-playing field.

Terming the order a big win for consumer and net neutrality, Rajya Sabha lawmaker Rajeev Chandrasekhar lauded TRAI chairman R.S. Sharma for standing up for consumers.

"This is a powerful and positive first step as days of telcos controlling regulations and regulatory policy is over and it's consumer to the fore," Chandrasekhar said in a statement here.

Echoing Facebook, Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) director general Rajan S. Mathews, however, regretted that the watchdog rejected upfront differential pricing without defining net neutrality.

"We expected that they will see our recommendations before coming out with the regulations. It (Free Basics) was a tool to connect the billion of unconnected people in India," Mathews contended.