80% of the responses TRAI got for its differential pricing for data services net neutrality report were sourced from Facebook’s campaign to drum up support for its Free Basics platform. The document was open for comments till December 30 and counter-comments till January 7, during which it amassed a record 24 lakh comments.
A breakdown of the figure shows that 18.94 lakh messages were in support of Free Basics. Out of this, 13.5 lakh were through the handle @supportfreebasics.in and did not mention the sender’s email ID. Furthermore, 5.44 lakh of the replies came from the @facebookmail.com address.
As for net neutrality activists, their numbers totaled to 4.84 lakh comments via various initiatives like Save the Internet. Other than these two groups, the other opinions were from industry bodies and individuals. Telecom operators such as Reliance Communications, Vodafone, Airtel and Idea are all in support of differential pricing for data services.
According to PTI, Airtel spoke about the cost difference between traditional calls and internet-based ones, favoring a system where the rate for the latter is different. The company had tried to set up such a scheme last year, but was forced to withdraw it after widespread protests had accused it of being against the principles of net neutrality.
Also Read: Reliance ordered to put Facebook Free Basics on hold
Airtel had also called for OTT players to be brought under the same set of laws which operators are made to follow. Vodafone had also reflected this opinion in its own comment, claiming that such a move would introduce a concept of regulatory neutrality. Meanwhile, BSNL wants data for websites, apps and other platforms to be charged differently.
To recall, TRAI’s Differential Pricing for Data Services report was released to the public around a month ago. The paper had acknowledged the role Facebook’s Free Basics could play in spreading internet usage but was wary of the power telecom service providers (TSPs) could have to set tariffs which favor or encourage 1 service over another.