My friend posted
A slightly different take here.
Q. What is Net Neutrality?
The principle that (Not just telcos or Internet service providers) but any entity should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites.
Q. Are telecom companies trying to change it?
Yes, they are, in some way. They may introduce packs that gives you certain content/website free of cost if you purchase “packs”.
Q. Does that mean I cannot use internet as I am using now?
No, you can still use the internet as you are doing now. As far as my understanding goes, the will continue with current tariffs (more or less) but gives options to those who want internet for specific purposes to access the same. For Example, someone wants internet for FB & Whatsapp only, they can buy those specific packs and not pay for full data packs. This has happened before. Remember Free Whatsapp/FB Packs that telcos used to entice people to start using mobile data. Well, no one opposed it that time because it was “free” FB. And is it not similar to giving discounted local calling packs/SMS packs/ STD packs?? People can still use normal services but those who know that their usage is specific can reduce costs by subscribing to special packs.
Q. Does Airtel Zero “violate” Net Neutrality?
No, it doesn’t. All Airtel Zero says that certain apps/website will be provided free of cost to the user and the companies owning that app or website will be paying to them. And it is not preferential treatment. It is not that if Flipkart signs up with Airtel, the likes of SnapDeal, Amazon etc will be blocked. People just have to pay to surf those apps (as they do today). Just that, Flipkart will be free to surf. How is this different from telcos providing Toll-Free Nos? Customers can make their calls (say to a certain bank) for free but doesn’t mean that they can’t call other banks. People arguing that free data would mean customers shifting preference to certain apps/websites is like saying you order food from a certain restaurant just because it is providing free food delivery. No, people order as per their preferences of cost and taste, free or charged home delivery is just a part of the cost factor. Similarly, people won’t start ordering from Flipkart just because surfing Flipkart is free.
Q. Is “Airtel Zero” gonna kill startups ?
No. In fact it will provide level grounds to start ups with the “big boys”. For their digital marketing tie ups with companies like Google, cost is 200 Rs per day per download. Airtel Zero will bring it down to Rs.20 per day. Flawed understanding of net neutrality: The whole concept of Net Neutrality is misunderstood. It means that no one should interfere with the way content is used by people but does that mean people can’t decide what they want to use? For example, you currently buy 1GB data pack for Rs 300 for a month but majority of your data consumption takes place on FB & Whatsapp. Now say you can purchase free FB & Whatsapp pack for Rs 50 each and 250MB data for Rs 100, that brings your monthly expenses to Rs 200 (Indicative figures used just for the sake of example)
Having said this, the pitfalls that need to be avoided are as following: 1. Telcos should offer “no frills” internet as we know it today. 2. Telcos should not be blocking content/website/apps 3. Telcos should not interfere with speeds in “normal” data packs. They should not reduce the speed of any website/app
Do you see anything wrong with this? pls post your views
I am reading a lot of articles lately..but still confused help me out here