Net Neutrality: Bringing uniformity across Wireless World

Recently, the planned release of new net-neutrality rules from the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has initiated a new battle in the wireless world. About fourteen large firms have formed a platform and signed a memorandum for favoring the net neutrality implementation. Among the signatories, the 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.
 
Globally, Network neutrality is a debatable topic as there are no separate rules and regulations for the different rates on broadband and dial-up Internet customers based on content or service type.  Network neutrality proposes a neutral broadband network irrespective of content, sites or platforms and modes of communication offered. If US take the lead with the FCC's new recommendations then it is expected that the rest of the world can seek the same net neutrality principles.
 
India's Net-neutrality Concerns

The broadband penetration in the Indian market is very limited and the number for internet users is stagnant from the last year with about 45 million to 50 million. The rates and broadband plans for the internet usage in India have been widely distributed. However, with the recent pre-paid broadband service from BSNL, the state run telecom provider has re-initiated the debate for the net-neutrality in India.

Various analysts suggest that the telecom vendors should provide a structured service model so that they can control the vague competition, artificial scarcity and obligation for subscribers to buy other uncompetitive 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 vendors

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

Similarly, RCom, TATA Indicom and other vendors also have their respective plans, but the synchronization among the various subscription plans is missing. Hence, analysts suggest that there is an immediate requirement for net neutrality policy from TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), so that users can be benefitted from unbiased broadband services.

What after 3G?

The telecom ministry has announced 14 January, 2010 as the final date for 3G auction. However, various telecom giant has 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 the upcoming tariff plans for the 3G services or present broadband services? Should we concern about the differences among the service types of various vendors?
 
International scenario

There is demands to check various telecommunications free services like Google Voice, which should come under the net neutrality rules. Also, a group of 44 networking and communications equipment companies have sent a letter to FCC for expressing same concern on net neutrality. However, various vendors have to wait for the FCC's announcement to decide, who will control the wireless pipes of tomorrow.
 
Pooja Vij/ITvoir Network

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