Net Neutrality Stance to Be Finalised in a Couple of Months: Trai

The Indian telecom regulator is hopeful that it will be able to finalise views on net neutrality in a couple of months.

"The DoT (Department of Telecom) has sought comprehensive view from us on net neutrality. It should be done in a couple of months," Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) chairman R.S. Sharma said in New Delhi on Tuesday.

He was speaking on the sidelines of CASBAA India Forum.

A month ago, the Trai ruled against Facebook's Free Basics programme, upholding net neutrality and leaving a level playing field for all players.

"No service provider shall offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content," the Trai had said in a much-awaited regulatory order on discriminatory pricing of data content.

"No service provider shall enter into any arrangement, agreement or contract, by whatever name called, with any person, natural or legal, that has the effect of discriminatory tariffs for data services being offered or charged to the consumer on the basis of content," the watchdog had said.

Telecom regulator Trai last week said it will comply with the Supreme Court order asking it to consider the technical aspects of calls drops and if regulations on penalty could be amended.

"Whatever has been ordered by the Supreme Court shall be complied with," Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Chairman R S Sharma said.

Earlier last week, the Supreme Court asked the regulator to consider the papers dealing with technical aspects of call drops and apprise it of its stand on whether it could consider amending regulations to impose penalty on telecom firms.