Recently, the planned release of new net neutrality rules from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has started a new battle in the wireless world. Some fourteen large companies have formed a platform and signed a memorandum to encourage the implementation of net neutrality. Among the signatories, companies include Google, Facebook and Twitter who recently joined the race, while Amazon, eBay, EchoStar Corporation, Mozilla, Sony Electronics and TiVo have already signed the documents.

In general, net neutrality is a debatable issue as there are no separate rules and regulations for the different tariffs of broadband Internet and dial-up customers depending on the type of content or service. Net neutrality proposes a neutral broadband network regardless of the content, the sites or platforms and the modes of communication offered. If the US takes the lead with the new FCC recommendations, then hopefully the rest of the world can look to the same net neutrality principles.

Indian net neutrality concerns

Broadband penetration in the Indian market is very limited and the number of Internet users is stagnant from last year at around 45 million to 50 million. Broadband tariffs and plans for internet use in India have been widely distributed. However, with BSNL’s recent prepaid broadband service, the state-owned telecoms provider has reignited the net neutrality debate in India.

Several analysts suggest that telecom providers should provide a structured service model so that they can control vague competition, artificial scarcity and the obligation of subscribers to buy other non-competitive services. They also said that net neutrality is important for the web world to protect its current freedoms.

Various Schemes and Offers from Indian Telecom Providers

Airtel recently announced the introduction of 16 Mbps broadband speed for its customers; however, the user can only download 100GB of free data in a month. Meanwhile, BSNL, which owns about 54.09% (7.6 million users) of India’s dial-up Internet subscriber base, offers cheap options for network connectivity, but broadband speed is slow. . You can stay connected with their low cost Dataone broadband plan for just Rs 125 per month, where you get 150 MB download/upload per month and an additional cost of Rs 0.90/1 MB for additional usage.

Similarly, RCom, TATA Indicom and other providers also have their respective plans, but the synchronization between the various subscription plans is missing. Analysts therefore suggest that there is an immediate requirement for TRAI (Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India) net neutrality policy, so that users can benefit from unbiased broadband services.

And after 3G?

The Telecommunications Ministry announced January 14, 2010 as the final date for the 3G auction. However, several telecom giants have already launched their 3G services and the market is flooded with 3G enabled devices. Earlier this year, MTNL had announced its 3G services, called Jadoo in India, and Apple launched its iPhone 3G in August this year.

But do we require any net neutrality principles for upcoming 3G service plans or current broadband services? Should we be concerned about the differences between service types from various providers?

international scene

There are demands to verify various free telecommunications services like Google Voice, which should be subject to net neutrality rules. In addition, a group of 44 network and communications equipment companies have sent a letter to the FCC to express the same concern about net neutrality. However, several providers have to wait for the FCC’s announcement to decide who will control tomorrow’s wireless pipelines.