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Negating Free Basics
From the beginning, TRAI wanted to look at differential pricing as a single entity, not relating it to net neutrality or any other term. TRAI quickly put out a statement saying the paper issued is not on net neutrality, but on the specific matter of differential pricing.
Steps by TRAI S Focusing on differential pricing
From the beginning, TRAI wanted to look at differential pricing as a single entity, not relating it to net neutrality or any other term. TRAI quickly put out a statement saying the paper issued is not on net neutrality, but on the specific matter of differential pricing.
When it received responses, pointing to the massive Facebook Free Basics campaign, it mentioned that some users were only talking about 'Free Basics', which was unrelated to the questions being addressed by the paper.
Consultation paper on differential pricing
TRAI floated a consultation paper seeking views on whether differential pricing should be allowed, amidst the whole net neutrality debate. The regulator wanted to know what steps should be taken to ensure that the principles of non-discrimination and competition are followed if differential pricing is to be allowed.
Putting existing operations on hold
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) asked Reliance Communications (RCom) to put Facebook’s Free Basics service on hold. The report quotes a senior government official as saying, “We have asked them (Reliance Communications) to stop it [Free Basics] and they have given us a compliance report that it has been stopped.”
Seeking counter comments to responses
TRAI said it received 21 comments from individuals and organisations countering 24 lakh submissions over its paper on differential pricing of data, believed to be a key aspect of net neutrality. The regulator said it will take a final call by the end of January.
Open house discussion
TRAI allowed an open house discussion on the consultation paper around differential pricing for data services with representatives from Internet companies, civil society organizations, industry bodies, and telecom companies to share their comments.
