TRAI claims it has received nearly 6 lakh comments on its consultation paper regarding the issue of net neutrality. The sudden outpouring of opinions coincided with the launch of a campaign by Facebook to prevent a ban on its Free Basics platform from taking place.
An official source told PTI that the Differential Pricing for Data Services report by TRAI had gotten approximately 540000 comments as of December 17. The insider thinks the number would have crossed the 6 lakh milestone by now. It could reach even greater heights, given the last day for submitting views is December 30 and for counter comments is January 7.
The consultation paper questions the role of telecom service providers (TSPs) with regards to tariffs. TRAI thinks that zero-rating platforms expand access to the internet, but companies have too much power over deciding the rates. The brand could use differential pricing as a weapon to promote access to content which it benefits from and discourages people from exploring other, more costly options.
While the document did not mention Free Basics directly, Facebook had launched an email campaign to save the platform last week. It began asking people to send a message to TRAI informing the authority that they support the service and don’t want it to get banned. The social networking site further referred to its critics as a small group of lobbyists who wish to stop the offering on the grounds of net neutrality.
Also Read: Facebook responds to TRAI paper, says Free Basics is open to all
Facebook asserts that these people want everyone to pay equally for connectivity instead of permitting the poor to have access to a few websites without charge. Its detractors have pointed out that the company has too much control over which site gets featured on the platform. The brand has tried to do away with this point by stating that the service is open to all developers.
The first TRAI consultation paper on net neutrality received over 10 lakh comments. It looks like this one could reach that touchstone as well.