Editor's pick of the day: Indian government net positive on net neutrality

Net neutrality is back in the news. The Indian government has thrown its weight behind a free and open internet, stating that the internet is an open platform that must not be controlled by any entity that could compromise the availability of content to any consumer by ‘data discrimination’.

In a landmark decision that could have a far reaching impact, the centre approved the basic principles of net neutrality in India, adding that deviations and violations of the rules of net neutrality will be met with stiff penalties.

Telecom secretary Aruna Sundararajan told the media that licence agreements with service providers will be immediately amended and these agreements will be subject to the principles of net neutrality. The decision also carries with it the heft of TRAI’s authority. The regulatory body had supported the basic principles of an open and free internet in its recommendations on net neutrality to the telecom department in November 2017. It had observed that Internet of Things, or IoT, as a class of services, should not be excluded from the scope of restriction on non-discriminatory treatment except for certain critical services. 

One communications consulting expert said, “No country bars differential pricing in as strong a manner as India. Other countries, and especially EU, allow differential pricing in some cases.” 

Here’s what net Neutrality and Internet of Things mean. Net neutrality, at its simplest, means that the company that connects you to the internet does not get to control what you do on the internet. It is the principle that individuals should be free to access all content and applications equally, regardless of the source, without ISPs or, internet service providers - like Airtel, BSNL, Vodafone, Reliance, ACT etc - discriminating against specific online services or websites.  

If net neutrality is disregarded or diluted, ISPs can control the internet usage of individuals- prevent users from visiting certain websites, provide slower speeds for streaming services or redirect users from one website to a competing website. Net neutrality rules prevent such a scenario by requiring ISPs to connect users to all lawful content on the internet equally, without giving preferential treatment to certain sites or services.

What about Internet of Things? ZDNet defines IoT like this: The Internet of Things refers to billions of physical devices around the world that are now connected to the internet, collecting and sharing data. Thanks to cheap processors and wireless networks, it's possible to turn anything, from a pill to an aeroplane, into part of the IoT. This adds a level of digital intelligence to devices that are otherwise dumb, enabling them to communicate without intervention from a human being. It merges the digital and physical worlds.