Airtel to launch Airtel Zero platform violating Network neturality

[Sushubh]

in a way it was. netscape charged for their browser. microsoft gave away internet explorer for free. entire market switched to internet explorer. and along with it, the proprietary technologies that microsoft bundled with it. which for a while literally broke the web. you could not access banking websites if you were not on windows. you had to have windows because a lot of sites started using activex and other microsoft technologies. if mozilla and google had not arrived, the web would have been like mobile platforms. sites would have different versions for windows/internet-explorer and if they cared for others, they would have another version for other platforms.

 

[Kinjal Savai]

That is anti trust issue. Net neutrality is different

 

[Sushubh]

the basic problem is the same. preferential treatment leads to eradication of competition.

 

[Navjot Singh]

Here is Airtel trying to defend Airtel Zero and claiming its not against net neutrality.

 

[Navjot Singh]

After Flipkart's departure, Airtel clarifies misconceptions about Airtel Zero | Digit.in

Airtel fully supports the concept of Net Neutrality. There have been some misconceptions about our toll free data platform – Airtel Zero. It is a not a tariff proposition but is an open marketing platform that:

1. Allows any application or content provider to offer their service on a toll free basis to their customers who are on our network.

2. Such customers whether on a data pack or not will therefore be able to access these toll free services free of charge.

3. No site whether on the toll free platform or not under any circumstances is blocked, throttled or provided any form of preferential access.

4. The toll free platform is open to all content providers on a completely non discriminatory basis and operates on the same principle as 1-800 toll free voice services.

The statement made by Flipkart regarding their decision not to offer toll free data service to their customers is consistent with our stand that Airtel Zero is not a tariff proposition. It is merely an open platform for content providers to provide toll free data services. The platform remains open to all companies who want to offer these toll free data services to their customers on a completely non discriminatory basis.

 

[Sushubh]

LOL

 

[kanagadeepan]

If they DO NOT ask for data charges from Developers and don't stop anyone (small startup or established brands) from entering their AirHELL ZERO program [means all said apps / webpage access FREE --- which is NOT possible anyday], then OK, ELSE they are definitely violating net neutrality..

 

[mhsabir]

lol.. How else will they make money .. their core agenda?

 

[newuser990]

Shrill voices won’t win net neutrality debate: Trai - The Times of India

NEW DELHI: As the uproar continues in favour of net neutrality, telecom watchdog Trai chairman Rahul Khullar on Sunday said "shrill voices" will not win the debate and the concept is not "practised strictly" even in countries like the US and the UK. The principle of net neutrality calls for equal treatment to be accorded to all internet traffic, without discrimination or priority for any person, entity or company.

Shrill voices do not win debate. Cool headed reasoned arguments on both sides are need of the hour," Khullar said.

"There are different practices in different jurisdictions. UK and parts of Europe do not practice strict net neutrality. Even in US zero rating plans are permissible," he said, while replying to a question on whether India was in a position to align with the global net-neutrality principles.

 

[Sushubh]

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