​TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN​,

I am writing to express my concern, as a citizen of the United States, about the actions telecom carriers are taking to restrict fair access to the internet (i.e. Net Neutrality)​ for all Indian Citizens​. As a thriving and growing nation, the internet is a vital resource - it helps ​your citizens​ communicate, work, and thrive collectively. If telecom operators are ​​allowed to discriminate the flow of internet traffic solely on the basis of which services pay the most, a vital and necessary technological resource could become unnecessarily crippled, perhaps indefinitely.

​By​ allowing telecoms to define what information ​the citizens​ can view; what entertainment they​​ can access; and what companies can innovate, a once-universally accessible tool for empowerment could become no more than another corporate profit scheme. This is completely unfair for India's citizens and harms India's long-term role as major player in the global market. I understand the concern that regulation may deter telecoms from expanding access and speeds, but ​the internet is a tool for everyone, and must not be hi-jacked for one or another esoteric purposes. ​The growth of telecoms and the well-being of the internet can go hand-in-hand, without one jeopardizing the other. ​You do not want​ regulation so strong as to stifle progress, but only a framework to ensure long term and fair access for all services regardless of size. Please understand that the internet is an important resource and vital to​ your citizens​.

I hope to see India follow the United States's role of protecting open access to the internet by supporting Net Neutrality and ensuring fair and equal access for​ ​all​ citizens​.

Regards from a concerned international citizen,

Jana Lauderbaugh

Seattle, WA, USA