Subject: My arguments as to Net Neutrality
From: Chandramouli Prabhakar
Date: 07-Apr-15 10:14 AM
To: advqos@trai.gov.in

Dear Sir/Madam


Hopefully you're reading this on the Computer and not over your mobile data connection, since you might be charged pretty soon for it, so better get used to it from now.

As a Law Student with a Commerce Background, I am appalled at the recent proposal to charge OTT services separately. This is a blatant infringment on my Right to Liberty. Liberty does not come free of charge, but it is a whole different matter when you say Pay more, you will get more .. I am tempted to use a very derogatory hindi phrase , the context which you might understand "Itna paise mein itna Hi milega". 

The Telecom Lobby is understandably one of the most powerful lobbies in India, and it is extremely evident from actions like this. However, if the profitability of Telecos is more important and vital than the stated goals of mobile penetration, universal access and connectivity to all, I urge you to look the other direction.

I am writing to express my concern against the actions telecom carriers are taking to restrict fair access to the internet (i.e. Net Neutrality). As a thriving and growing nation, the internet is a vital resource - it helps me communicate, work, and thrive as a citizen. If telecom operators are allowed to discriminate the flow of internet traffic solely on the basis of which services pay the most, we are allowing telecoms control over a vital and necessary technological resource. We allow them to define what information we can view; what entertainment we can access; and what companies can innovate. This is completely unfair 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 I strongly believe the growth of telecoms and the well-being of the internet can go hand-in-hand. I'm not asking for 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 me. I would like to see it protected under Net Neutrality to ensure fair and equal access for myself and all.


To Charge or not to Charge, this is a pretty obvious answer staring right at you.


Regards,

Chandramouli Prabhakar,

(Law Student, Chennai)