I am writing to show my support for keeping net neutrality intact in India. I am a telecommunications consultant and believe that unambiguous regulations go a long way in improving customer service and improving technological investments of the competing companies instead of seeking spectrum rental income only.

Sir - the TRAI has been responsible for the phenomenal growth of Indian Telecom allowing for one of the cheapest call prices in the world through proper regulation. Indian telecom has not only allowed benefits to consumers but has served as the model for telecom services in a number of developed countries.

Keeping this pioneering work in mind, I believe dismantling the net neutrality would have severe negative consequences for the consumers and the overall industry for the following reasons.

1. Dismantling Net Neutrality will allow operators to stifle innovations of other OTT players such as whatsapp, skype etc. Just like cellular operators overcame the hurdles and introduced better technology that over time replaced fixed lines for select operations similarly if the MSO's do not upgrade or provide competitive services they ought to be replaced by OTT players. That is the nature of technology innovation - older technology is replaced by new. Stopping through negative legislation will burden us with backwardness and we may miss the information revolution the world over

2. Dismantling Net Neutrality will make operators simply initiate innovative pricing for its profitability discarding innovation. We all knwo that with internet of things and connected devices there are huge revenue potentials for operators apart from traditional connectivity services. However these services require the operators to invest in the long term and focus on creating platforms. It is difficult and therefore most operators prefer the short term price innovation only but this will stifle development of allied industries.

3. Operators argument of doing away with net neutrality is akin to a RWA deciding that only certain cars will be allowed to enter an area. The internet like a road is public facility and as long as people are paying for the access (akin to road tax) there shouldn't be any discrimination. It is only then that we will be able to achieve the goals of digital india.

-thanks

Saurabh

eTOM L3 certified