Violates net neutrality, though.
By Dileep Thekkethil
BENGALURU: Airtel launched a new platform called ‘Airtel Zero’ that will benefit both subscribers and app providers at the same time. Airtel users can now access selected number of apps free of data cost and that will be paid by the app providers on signing up with the Indian telecom major.
Airtel Zero acts as a platform where app providers can increase user base by providing content without costing any data charge for users. This will allow the app provider to make at least a part of their app free for customers. Zero essentially means that from now on users will not have to pay data chargers (the data used for accessing selected apps will not be deducted from the Airtel data pack activated) that are normally levied from subscribers.
Even though the users get the benefit to access apps without data charges, the app provider has to bear the cost of their customer’s data usage. Through Airtel Zero, the telecom major plans to find an extra source of revenue by acting as a promoter of a few apps that at the moment lag behind competitors.
But it is worth noting that Airtel Zero is totally against the principle of “net neutrality” which is against giving special recognitions for apps and other internet services in the form of speed and charges implied. Interestingly, the announcement of Airtel Zero comes just a day after TRAI floated a paper on net neutrality in India demanding telecom companies not to block or give special status to apps and websites as they have commercial interests.
According to Airtel, the new service is similar to the existing toll-free numbers of customer service centers were the cost of each call is levied from the company. They said Airtel Zero is ‘an open and non-discriminatory marketing platform for all developers in India – irrespective of the size of their business.’
Srini Gopalan, director – consumer business, Bharti Airtel was quoted by The Times of India as saying, “We believe that this platform is consistent with India’s Digital Inclusion agenda and also contributes to the government’s ‘Make in India’ vision by providing a platform to millions of small businesses to reach out to the end consumer.”
As of now, Airtel has not unveiled the names of app providers who have signed up for the Zero platform but there are reports that Flipkart has signed up for the new service by paying Rs. 1000/GB but both Airtel and Flipkart has refused to comment about the deal.
Earlier TRAI had asked citizens about their views regarding Net Neutrality. Users who have disagreements in paying extra cost to service providers for accessing apps such as Whats App and Skype can submit their response by answering the TRAI questionnaire and sending it toadvqos@trai.gov.in
Here are the 20 Questions that TRAI is seeks answer from app users in India:
- Establishing a regulatory framework for OTT services, since internet penetration is still evolving, access speeds are generally low and there is limited coverage of high-speed broadband in the country? Or, should some beginning be made now with a regulatory framework that could be adapted to changes in the future?
- Should the OTT players offering communication services (voice, messaging and video call services) through applications (resident either in the country or outside) be brought under the licensing regime?
- Is the growth of OTT impacting the traditional revenue stream of telecom service providers (TSPs)? If so, is the increase in data revenues of the TSPs sufficient to compensate for this impact?
- Should the OTT players pay for use of the TSPs network over and above data charges paid by consumers? If yes, what pricing options can be adopted? Could such options include prices based on bandwidth consumption? Can prices be used as a means product/service differentiation?
- Do you agree that imbalances exist in the regulatory environment in the operation of OTT players? If so, what should be the framework to address these issues? How can the prevailing laws and regulations be applied to OTT players (who operate in the virtual world) and compliance enforced? What could be the impact on the economy?
- How should the security concerns be addressed with regard to OTT players providing communication services? What security conditions such as maintaining data records, logs etc. need to be mandated for such OTT players? And, how can compliance with these conditions be ensured if the applications of such OTT players reside outside the country?
- How should the OTT players offering app services ensure security, safety and privacy of the consumer? How should they ensure protection of consumer interest?
- In what manner can the proposals for a regulatory framework for OTTs in India draw from those of European Telecommunications Network Operators (ETNO)? What practices should be proscribed by regulatory fiat?
- What are your views on net-neutrality in the Indian context?
- What forms of discrimination or traffic management practices are reasonable and consistent with a pragmatic approach? What should or can be permitted?
- Should the TSPs be mandated to publish various traffic management techniques used for different OTT applications? Is this a sufficient condition to ensure transparency and a fair regulatory regime?
- How should a conducive and balanced environment be created such that TSPs are able to invest in network infrastructure and Content and Application Providers (CAPs) are able to innovate and grow? Who should bear the network upgradation costs?
- Should TSPs be allowed to implement non-price based discrimination of services? If so, under what circumstances are such practices acceptable? What restrictions, if any, need to be placed so that such measures are not abused? What measures should be adopted to ensure transparency to consumers?
- Is there a justification for allowing differential pricing for data access and OTT communication services? If so, what changes need to be brought about in the present tariff and regulatory framework for telecommunication services in the country?
- Should OTT communication service players be treated as Bulk User of Telecom Services (BuTS)? How should the framework be structured to prevent any discrimination and protect stakeholder interest?
- What framework should be adopted to encourage India-specific OTT apps?
- If the OTT communication service players are to be licensed, should they be categorised as Application Service Providers (ASP) or Communications Service Providers (CSP)? If so, what should be the framework?
- Is there a need to regulate subscription charges for OTT communication services?
- What steps should be taken by the Government for regulation of non-communication OTT players?
- Are there any other issues that have a bearing on the subject discussed?