Subject: My views on the regulation of OTT
From: Vikram Acharya
Date: 07-Apr-15 4:14 PM
To: "advqos@trai.gov.in" <advqos@trai.gov.in>

Respected members and authority at TRAI,

As an Indian, I would like to thank you for the great work you are doing. I think TRAI regulations have helped the common man able to afford internet at home and on their phones. I think going forward TRAI should take the lead in shaping India and should make it mandatory for ISPs to take their wires below the ground. This is a major concern in cities are we are getting increasingly affected by 'wire pollution' on top of our homes.

Today I want to share my views on what I consider an urgent and burning issue. Net Neutrality.

  1. Net Neutrality: I think it is very important to consider where some of our peers are heading. For example in the US, where there are far more internet enabled services, there has been great agitation on Net Neutrality. Finally the government has realized that it is important and Internet should remain fair to both rich and poor. Hence I want TRAI to not consider special pricing for Internet services like WhatsApp and Skype

  2. A common point I keep hearing is that Telcos are losing money. But if it is really true, what explains their increased profits every quarter? I think Telcos will make far more money through Internet than their projected losses. Today an auto driver is eager to buy a smart phone because he wants to stay connected using WhatsApp and Skype. If special prices are  levied, then this growth will be brought to a halt.

  3. Another example I would like to talk about is from the far more culturally technologically advanced The Netherlands. After a agitation government acted up on net neutrality laws.

  4. Recently I read that the founders of Flipkart are going to be the first Indian billionaires who made their net worth completely through an on-line business. This is my vision of an Indian dream. I expect the new government and its policy makers to focus on increasing the potential of every individual rather than helping to fill up the pockets of already rich Telcos. These companies are important and we pay them whatever they charge us for. However, all we are asking is since all services rely on internet, don't charge us differently for different services.


Highly esteemed authorities at TRAI, please help in keep the internet a level playing ground for David and Goliath. 


Thank you.




Regards,
Vikram B L