Net Neutrality: TRAI invites flak

Netizens and application service providers have overwhelmingly supported net neutrality, urging that apps must not be brought under a licensing regime in response to the consultation paper floated by the telecom regulator on an open Internet. Telecom service providers (TSPs) on the other hand have said that in order to ensure national security, application service providers, must be brought under the same checks such as service providers. They have also sought a´same service same rule´, which requires the over the top, or OTT players, to be brought under the same regulation as the TSPs in case of providing the same service – voice – in this case. Operators have requested for bringing ´calling applications´ and messaging platforms under the same set of rules and obligations.