Now, apps and websites can be free to decide on free data: Nasscom

By Payal Dwivedi on July 4, 2016 at 11:09 AM

IT industry body Nasscom has said telecom regulator Trai should give complete flexibility to apps and websites for deciding on provisions for rewarding free data to customers.In its response to consultation paper of Trai on free data for telecom customers, the body also said operators should not have direct or indirect influence on the content that customers view on the Internet. It said the purpose of free data or concessions on data usage as reward is to encourage users to explore Internet.

The industry body has also questioned jurisdiction of Trai in case it wants to frame rules on free data without involving telecom operators. Various stakeholders have asked Trai to define net neutrality before framing rules for free data.

Member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrasekhar in his comments said: “TRAI must define Net Neutrality urgently and this definition must focus on preventing gatekeeping/cabelisation by telcos. Free data must not be regulated through an ex-ante ban, but on a case-by-case basis. Regulation must not dampen competition or innovation on the web.”