Question : Net Neutrality

(a) whether the Government has constituted a telecom department panel on net neutrality recently and the panel has submitted its report;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;

(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to maintain the core principles of net neutrality and internet for all;

(d) whether the Government has recommended disallowing the controversial zero rating plans of telecos while proposing that throttling and any sort of prioritization of internet traffic should be banned; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) Yes Madam, the committee of officers constituted by Department of Telecommunications on Net Neutrality has submitted its report. However it is not the final report nor the Government has taken any final view.

(b) Report of the committee contains technical, regulatory and public policy related recommendations on Net Neutrality. It has been placed in public domain by uploading on website of Department of Telecommunications and MyGov portal on 16.07.2015 for comments and suggestions.
(c) ,(d) & (e) Government is committed to the fundamental principles and concept of net neutrality and strives for non-discriminatory access to internet for all citizens of the country.

In this regard, to examine various aspects of Net Neutrality, Government has constituted a committee, which has submitted its report inter-alia covering the issues related to Zero rating, throttling and prioritization of internet traffic. Comments and suggestions have been invited on the report through MyGov portal.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is also engaged in consultation process covering the issues related to Net Neutrality, whose recommendations are awaited.

Based on the committee report, comments & Suggestions received and recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI), Government will take a considered decision on various aspects of Net Neutrality , in the best interest of country.


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