Update: Newly released guidelines by TRAI have strongly supported net neutrality. The guidelines state that no internet access service provider can put any form of discrimination, restriction or interference in the treatment of content, including practices like blocking, degrading, slowing down or granting preferential speeds or treatment to any content. “A Licensee providing Internet Access Service shall not engage in any discriminatory treatment of content, including based on the sender or receiver, the protocols being used or the user equipment,” TRAI wrote.
Even as Trump-appointed FCC Director Ajit Pai plans to undo net neutrality in the US, gutting rules that bar internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking or slowing down access to content, TRAI is set to issue its own guidelines for India today. TRAI Chief Ram Sewak Sharma said that the guidelines would be issued sometime during the day.
So far, TRAI has adopted a pro-net neutrality stand, barring zero data charges plans that telecom providers had launched that provided free access to some websites. Trai had in January floated a consultation paper on the net neutrality issue, and had asked for inputs on how to ensure non-discriminatory access to content online. It also held an open house discussion on the topic in August. The regulator is expected to uphold net neutrality overall.
TRAI Chief Ram Sewak Sharma is not new to controversy. He was in the news in previous months as the conflict between Reliance Jio and other telecom providers escalated, and after TRAI decided to slash the Intercoonect Usage Charges that provide revenues to telecom providers but that Jio wanted removed. He was also previously the Director General of the UIDAI during Nandan Nilekani's tenure as Chairman.
