Dear TRAI,

I am writing to express my deep concern about the actions that telecom carriers are taking to restrict fair access to the internet (Net Neutrality). I believe the internet is a vital resource – it helps me communicate, work, and thrive as a citizen. If telecom operators can discriminate internet traffic on the basis of which services pay the most, we are allowing telcos control over a vital and necessary technological resource. By doing so we allow them to define what information we can view; what entertainment we can access; and how companies can innovate.

This is completely unfair and harms India’s long term role in the global market. I strongly believe the growth of telecoms and the well-being of the internet can go hand-in-hand. I’m asking for a framework to ensure long term and fair access for all services regardless of size. I want my generation and those that come after me to have unfettered access to the Internet, with no telcos or ISPs having the ability to charge for specific services I use on top of it. Please understand that the internet is an important resource and vital to me and to every other Indian citizen. I would like to see it kept free and protected under Net Neutrality to ensure fair and equal access for all and forever.

Regards,

Dr. Anjali Monteiro
___________________________________________
Anjali Monteiro, Ph.D., Professor
School of Media and Cultural Studies
Tata Institute of Social Sciences,
Deonar, Bombay 400 088, India
Phone:+91 22 2552 5661 (Work)
Fax:  +91 22 25525050    e-mail: monteiro[AT]tiss.edu
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