Subject: In favor of Net Neutrality in India
From: Rajat Sinha
Date: 07-Apr-15 1:32 AM
To: "advqos@trai.gov.in" <advqos@trai.gov.in>

Hi,
I am writing this email to TRAI's request for comments on Regulatory Framework for OTT services. I have replied to the questions mentioned in the document shared by the authority.
  1. Yes. Internet in a country like India has not yet been used widely. Implementation of such charges may reduce the usage of the services and therefore the initiative of FREE INTERNET will be slowed down. Internet is one of the easiest and fastest way of communication and bringing in a regulatory framework which violates the Net Neutrality will only slow down the process.
  2. No. Bringing these applications or services under a licensing regime will only reduce the number of usage of these apps. Imagine if visiting every website had a charge on it? How would that turn out? If the ISPs failed to come up with better ideas to make 'money' that doesn't mean the solution is charging more from consumers.
  3. Yes. The service providers are affected by the usage of OTT services and that is true. But this happened because of the limitation of sms which was imposed in India by TRAI a few years back. After the implementation of such regulation, users started using the internet even more. And imposing another such regulation will only be a reason for frustration for the users. Therefore thinking of a better way to earn is suggested.
  4. No. They should not pay any extra charges. Building such services already cost them a fortune. It is not so simple to build an app with such brilliant functionality. Now if they have to pay to ISPs also, many such apps will go away from India resulting into drawback in India's overall growth.
  5. Not clear of the question.
  6. Security is a concern. But keeping record or logs of all communication is a breach in an individuals privacy. This issue remains while the OTT services are in place. Maybe certain words can be tracked.
  7. The OTT players ask for a number of permissions to access your private data. And that is a security, privacy concern. To avoid that, TRAI or a similar authority can keep a tap on the functionalities and usage of such user data.
  8. A new regulatory framework can be drawn for such European Telecommunications Network Operators seeking a better board of directors who can think of better revenue models instead of only charging more from the users or OTTs. For example, they can reduce the call charges or sms charges. They can also come up with their own VoIP services and money from there. How difficult is that to do? 
  9. In a country like India, Net Neutrality plays a major role. Bringing in a framework will make the entire thing complicated. Net Neutrality has won the war in USA, it should win in India as well. Internet should remain free to express views and in many ways. It will prevent the growth of the Internet in rural locations. Ultimately the ISPs will win, and India will lose.

10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20: From an overall viewpoint, who will profit from this new regulation? Should internet and its users suffer because some ISPs failed to develop a better revenue model? Is it the fault of an Appmaker if he were really smart? No, right? Internet has always been a free medium for users to connect. TRAI may not even receive a lot of responses due to its confusing questions on the OTT regulatory framework. Simplying the entire scenario would have been better. But, to conclude, freedom of speech is at danger. One such step will cost a million to this nation. I therefore request TRAI to not bring a regulatory framework which violates the Net Neutrality.