Only 21 Counter-Comments to 24 Lakh Submissions on Differential Pricing

Advertisement
By Press Trust of India | Updated: 16 January 2016 14:01 IST
Only 21 Counter-Comments to 24 Lakh Submissions on Differential Pricing
Telecom regulator Trai only received 21 comments from individuals and organisations countering 24 lakh submissions over its paper on differential pricing of data, a key aspect of net neutrality.

Telecom operators, including Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Reliance Communications, through industry bodies, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and Association of Unified Telecom Service of India (AUSPI), countered inputs opposing the idea of pricing the Internet services.

(Also see:  81 Percent Citizens Against Facebook's Free Basics: Survey)

"Price differentiation will allow TSPs to cater to specific consumer requirements, including facilitation of access to those segments that are currently unconnected or poorly connected. Price differentiation is a widely adopted business practice used in many industries," COAI and AUSPI said in their joint counter comments to Trai.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India invited public comments to firm up its views over services that lead to differential pricing of data and January 14 was the last date for submitting countercomments on the same.

Advertisement

Internet Democracy Project (IDP), one of the stakeholders, countered the TSPs, saying telecom operators' comment on Internet-based calling services or VoIP to charge different rates for the Internet and the current debate should not be mixed up.

Another entity, Internet Service Providers Association of India changed its stance slightly in counter comments, saying a blanket ban on non-discriminatory data differential tariff would have an adverse impact on the proliferation of Internet service and may affect tariff innovation.

Advertisement

"In light of the above, we believe that data differential tariffs should be permitted subject to this condition that such differential tariff regime should meet the Trai prescribed principles and Trai continues to securitise each and every differential tariff plan," ISPAI said.

While favouring differential pricing for data services, Facebook countered comments that have singled out the Free Basics programme as an example of a zero-rating plan that should be prohibited.

Advertisement

(Also see:  World Bank Says Concerned About Facebook Free Basics' Model of Internet)

It said commentators have falsely claimed that Facebook uses the data obtained from developers using the Free Basics programme to enhance Facebook products and improve advertising.

"That is incorrect; Facebook does not," the social media giant said.

Facebook's Free Basics platform provides free access to a certain set of websites.

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Apple's M4 Mac Mini Price in India Drops to Rs. 49,999 With These Discounts
  2. Poco F7 Design Spotted in Leaked Renders; Battery Specifications Revealed
  3. Samsung Teases Galaxy M36 Launch; Phone Spied Online Alongside Galaxy F36
  1. OnePlus Pad Lite Design and Key Specifications Leaked, Could Launch Soon
  2. Samsung's Upcoming Running Events Reportedly Hint at Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7 and Watch 8 Series Launch Timeline
  3. Poco F7 Design Spotted in Leaked Renders; Battery Specifications Revealed via Flipkart
  4. Neuralink Device Helps Monkey See Something That’s Not There
  5. Apple's Mac Mini With M4 Chip Price in India Drops to Rs. 49,999 With Discounts on Amazon
  6. Samsung Galaxy M36, Galaxy F36 Spotted on Google Play Console; Galaxy M36 Launch Reportedly Teased via Amazon
  7. Google, Scale AI's Largest Customer, Said to Plan Split After Meta Deal
  8. SpaceX Launches 26 New Starlink Satellites, Expands Global Internet Network
  9. Aurora Alert! Northern Lights May Be Visible as Far South as New York on June 14
  10. New Island Forms in Caspian Sea as Water Levels Drop, Russian Scientists Confirm
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.