Network OperatorsTRAI bans differential pricing in favor of net neutrality

TRAI bans differential pricing in favor of net neutrality

TRAI has finally announced its verdict on the issue of differential pricing, deciding to act in favor of net neutrality and banning the practice from occurring in the future. The decision will come as a blow to Facebook’s Free Basics initiative which has been very vocal about its support for the system throughout the process.

According to TRAI’s guidelines, any service provider which attempts to charge discriminatory tariffs for data services will have to pay a fine of Rs 50000 per day up to Rs 50 lakh. The regulator believes that allowing such a system to exist could harm the entire architecture of the internet which should be kept open and non-biased. No player is allowed to enter into a deal with any entity that contravenes the new ruling.

TRAI’s ruling comes as a big victory for net neutrality activists who had criticized Free Basics and Airtel Zero for acting as walled gardens which provide restricted access to the internet. The former was forced to stop its operations some time ago and has been conducting an aggressive campaign to convince people to support it via ads and email campaigns.

Also See: PMO displeased with Facebook over TRAI paper

Even the Prime Minister’s Office has allegedly not been happy with the way Facebook has been pushing its agenda in the country so far. The fight over the issue has escalated steadily over the past few months, with the social networking giant accusing TRAI of blocking its messages and the body in turn calling the site’s campaign a crudely majoritarian and orchestrated opinion poll.

TRAI says it will undertake a review of the situation within 2 years or earlier according to how the situation progresses.

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