Syllabus :GS 3/IT and Computers
In News
- The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the second attempt of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enforce Net Neutrality.
About
- The U.S. tech companies like Netflix opposed telecom companies and ISPs charging them for extra bandwidth, fearing the creation of “fast lanes” and “slow lanes” for internet traffic.
- The U.S. experienced a cycle of net neutrality policy changes, with Obama-era rules being rolled back under President Trump and later reinstated under President Biden.
What is Net Neutrality?
- Net neutrality is the principle that internet providers must treat all web traffic equally, preventing them from blocking or slowing access to websites or content.
Significance
- Consumer Rights: It ensures consumers can access content freely without restrictions or extra charges from ISPs.
- Innovation and Competition: It promotes innovation by allowing startups to compete on an equal footing with large companies.
- Freedom of Expression: Protects free speech by preventing ISPs from censoring content or controlling information flow.
The Debate
- Proponents : They argue net neutrality is essential for a free and open internet, preventing ISPs from controlling access or prioritizing content for profit.
- Opponents: ISPs and some policymakers argue regulation limits investment and innovation, suggesting prioritization may be necessary for quality service.
India’s approach
- India’s approach to net neutrality has evolved differently over the last decade, with telecom companies seeking ways to extract payments from large tech platforms.
- In India, the net neutrality debate started in 2014 with Bharti Airtel’s attempt to impose higher tariffs on internet calls (e.g., Viber), sparking widespread opposition against discriminatory data pricing.
- In 2016, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) ruled in favor of net neutrality, ensuring equal treatment of all internet traffic. This decision ended a public debate, prohibiting programs like Facebook’s Free Basics and telecom operators’ plans to charge extra for data calls using apps like Viber.
- In 2018, the Department of Telecommunications further solidified net neutrality by embedding it into the Unified Licence, making it a binding condition for all telecom operators and internet providers.
- Telcos’ New Demand in India: Indian telecom companies have recently pushed for network usage fees, demanding that large tech companies pay for the traffic they generate on telecom networks, a demand that has raised concerns among net neutrality advocates.
Conclusion and Way Forward
- Net neutrality is key to preserving an open internet, safeguarding consumer rights, encouraging innovation, and ensuring freedom of expression.
- Balancing regulation and freedom will be crucial moving forward.
Source :TH
Next article
News In Short 07-1-2025