Question 1:
Ans: There definitely is much time to create a framework for the internet as of now, like the question itself answers on its own there is ample scope of development of infra in this sector and much needs to evolve on the global front, specially in our region and we have enough regulatory organisations creating frameworks for the internet as a whole.
Question 2:
Ans: Internet is one big community as a whole, application owners or OTT players or any entity on the web is on the internet world and doesn't really limits to a region or represents one. The internet world doesn't need any more licensing regime, encryption plays a decent role in the same.
Question 3:
Ans: Yes the data revenues are ample enough for the operators the earn their share of profits, time changes and with it the technology will also take its toll. The operators have an massive advantage of having the back end infra, in the recent time to come they don't have much to loose as the data will always ride on this infra for the recent future.
Question 4:
ANSWER: Yes here can be a advantage to the operators but with various caching and pairing technologies available these problems can also be addressed on both the fronts i.e OTT players and operators. Google pairing is a famous alternate available to the ISP world today with hardly any cost involved to both the parties.
Question 5:
ANSWER: The Internet IS a leveled playing field for everybody. In today’s world, OTT players do not operate solely in the virtual world but, on the contrary, interact with “REAL” world products and services, and result in creation of innumerable jobs. In an ever more connected world, any law or regulation which breaks this ‘FLAT’ and ‘NEUTRAL’ nature of the Internet would harm economic growth.
Question 6:
ANSWER: This question requires a completely separate debate in itself. First and foremost, governments and all companies should respect and uphold the consumer’s Right to Privacy. If we lose privacy, we lose freedom itself because we no longer feel free to express what we think. India cannot be allowed to become a complete surveillance state which taps every OTT service which a consumer accesses. Second, OTT services should be allowed to freely combine and bundle online communication services within applications, and shouldn't be forced to keep data records. For example, an online vegetable ordering service should not be forced to save online communications between a buyer and seller.
Question 7:
ANSWER: All OTT services should adopt state of the art security standards in online communication. And they should keep consumers informed about the right privacy and security choices. In fact, the government should be pro-active in making companies aware of such practices.
Question 8:
ANSWER: As already answered, NO regulatory framework is required which violates Net Neutrality.
Question 9:
ANSWER: A FREE and OPEN Internet is a pillar of democracy and our fundamental right. Internet service providers and governments should treat ALL data on the internet EQUALLY, not discriminating or charging differentially by user, content site, platform, application, type of attached equipment, or modes of communication.
Question 10:
ANSWER: Any kind of traffic discrimination or management practices should never violate principles of Net Neutrality. And TSPs should be completely transparent about their traffic management principles.
Question 11:
ANSWER: Again, any case by case traffic management of OTT applications, even if it is transparent, violates Net Neutrality. So, this question won’t arise if TRAI ensures Network Neutrality.
Question 12:
ANSWER: Free market forces should allow TSPs to reach a price-point where they can profitably invest in network infrastructure. As a municipal water supply does not charge companies making washing machines and does not tax people for using these machines, similarly OTT players should be given a free market to flourish.
Question 13:
ANSWER: Again, DO NOT violate the principles of Net Neutrality.
Question 14:
ANSWER: Again, DO NOT violate the principles of Net Neutrality.
Question 15:
ANSWER: ALL data on the Internet is EQUAL. ALL bits are bits, NO need to segregate OTT players. TSPs need to focus on improving their existing products and quality of service.
Question 16:
ANSWER: Ensure that the principles of Net Neutrality are upheld. TSPs with vested interests should NEVER be able to impede consumer access to any app.
Question 17:
ANSWER: Again, NO regulatory framework required. NO segregation of OTT players required. NO traffic discrimination required. ALL bits are bits. DON’T hamper industry growth. Uphold Net Neutrality.
Question 18:
ANSWER: Again, NO regulatory framework required. DON’T hamper industry growth. Uphold Net Neutrality.
Question 19:
ANSWER: Again, NO regulatory framework required. DON’T segregate or discriminate OTT players. DON’T hamper consumer choice. DON’T hamper industry growth. Uphold Net Neutrality.
Question 20:
ANSWER: Uphold Net Neutrality. Uphold an Open Internet. Uphold the citizens’ Right to Freedom of Speech.