Net Neutrality : Internet Freedom
The issue of net neutrality is one of the most talked about issues in India at present.
Should you be worried? Most certainly, because it takes away your freedom of communicating freely and promotes inequality by granting total control to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) on which sites and apps get priority. Above all, it is important to know the whole concept of net neutrality before jumping into the fight against those violating the rights of so-called netizens.
What is Net Neutrality?
Net Neutrality is the Internet’s guiding principle: It preserves our right to communicate freely online. This is the definition of an open Internet.
Net neutrality is the means for every internet user to freely access any content or application without restrictions. Once you pay for the data through your respective ISP, you have the freedom to access anything on the internet and at the same speed. This means, you are allowed to decide on how to spend your allotted data, whether by watching a YouTube video, sharing WhatsApp messages or even connecting with friends on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Internet service providers should provide us with open networks — and should not block or discriminate against any applications or content that ride over those networks. Just as your phone company shouldn't decide who you can call and what you say on that call, your ISP shouldn't be concerned with the content you view or post online.
Net neutrality is the means for every internet user to freely access any content or application without restrictions. Once you pay for the data through your respective ISP, you have the freedom to access anything on the internet and at the same speed. This means, you are allowed to decide on how to spend your allotted data, whether by watching a YouTube video, sharing WhatsApp messages or even connecting with friends on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Internet service providers should provide us with open networks — and should not block or discriminate against any applications or content that ride over those networks. Just as your phone company shouldn't decide who you can call and what you say on that call, your ISP shouldn't be concerned with the content you view or post online.
It’s important for access to knowledge, services and free speech, as well as freedom and ease of doing business online, for this access to be neutral:
– All sites must be equally accessible
- The same access speed at the telco/ISP level for each (independent of telco selection)– The same data cost for access to each site (per KB/MB).What will happen if there is no net neutrality?
If there is no net neutrality, ISPs will have the power (and inclination) to shape internet traffic so that they can derive extra benefit from it.
Assuming TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) succeeds in its attempt to diminish net neutrality, you will be forced to abide by the rules set by your ISP. For instance, you pay ₹249 for 1GB of 3G data on Any Network for a period of 30 days; net neutrality gives you the freedom to use your data any way you want, but if there is no net neutrality, Your network will control your bandwidth treating all websites and apps with different speed. To give you a better perspective, your ISP can charge you extra for WhatsApp, Skype and other VoIP apps and other sites and apps. This tactic will be applied for websites and apps as well.
Without net neutrality, the internet as we know it will not exist. Instead of free access, there could be "package plans" for consumers. For example, if you pay Rs 500, you will only be able to access websites based in India. To access international websites, you may have to pay a more. Or maybe there can be different connection speed for different type of content, depending on how much you are paying for the service and what "add-on package" you have bought.
Should you join the fight?
Definitely, because TRAI's deadline for submissions of any complaints against its "Regulatory Framework for Over-the-top (OTT) services" or simply put end of net neutrality ends on 24 April. If TRAI doesn't receive enough complaints, it will pass the plan and India will see the first sign of Dark Age.
What you do to help?
If you are a frequent internet user or you use internet from time to time, if u wish that this is not acceptable then vote
