The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has said that while they are not currently involved in the issue of net neutrality, they would look into the matter once TRAI has finalized its stance. The debate over the topic blew up earlier this month after a report by the DoT unveiled its recommendations regarding it.
CCI member M.S. Sahoo stated that the fair trade regulator is keeping a watch on TRAI’s verdict and will act if it is found to anti-competitive. Net neutrality has found itself on the authority’s radar because it implies equal treatment be given to all internet traffic, without unfair practices favouring particular websites or services.
The DoT panel’s report on the issue gave platforms like Airtel Zero (which require companies to pay to appear on the free service) a pass provided they take prior permission from TRAI, while standing against a similar plan by Facebook’s Internet.org. It felt that the latter was favouring its own content over their rivals and therefore was not following the principles of net neutrality.
Also See: Congress criticizes net neutrality suggestions, dubs it anti-consumer
According to IANS, M.S. Sahoo also talked about the war going on between online and offline retailers. He felt there was no need for there to be a new legislation or framework governing these practices, as long as it was conducted ethically. He further said that the value of a product should not go below its cost price and such competition benefited the consumer ultimately.
The Competition Commission of India concerns itself with anti-competitive practices of various companies and agencies across the country. It has dealt with over 600 anti-trust cases in the past 7 years. Hopefully, its ultimate stand on net neutrality will be on the side of consumers and not big telecom companies.