National Security
Synopsis Net Neutrality
Dt: 3/6/15
Synopsis
Net Neutrality
Dr T.H.Chowdary*
There are fierce and extensive debates in regard to the subject, “Net Neutrality”. Those who are proposing this and those who are alleged to be opposing this are swearing by net neutrality but they mean different things.
2. The issue is what priority would be given to what type of traffic both for accessing websites as well as for the downloading the contents and at prices. Even as it is, the routers of the Internet discriminate between the four types of information namely video, audio, text and data , priority for routing being given in this order. This is just like different priorities given by utilities like the Railways (tatkal, superfast express, express, passenger ; goods & passenger trains all running on the same track) ; on the cities roads where goods carriers that is, lorries are banned during day time but permitted only during night; on the national highways, there are different toll charges for different types of vehicles and so on.
3. The Telcos which are providing the basic electronic, photonic highways for transportation and exchange of electronified information are heavily indebted to the extent of Rs.3,50,00cr; they purchased 3G and 4G spectrum at a cost of over Rs. 1,40,000 cr and inspite of purchasing, have to pay spectrum usage charges ;have to buy it again after 20 years (unlike in the USA where it become the property of Telco for life) and have to continuously add BTSs and cell towers to improve coverage. The cost of all these will have to be realised from users, more from those who want quicker access and faster transmission. The transmission on the network will have to be controlled because for example if a cricket match is put on the Internet and is seen by millions of people on their mobile devices (smart phones) the network will be clogged unless the Telcos fix priorities and these are incurring extra charges.
4. A balance has to be struck between affordability for all, heavier users paying more and realisation of the costs of investment and operation. This is a complex one and should not be a subject of populist sloganeering arguments. Nothing can be free. If some people are to be given free or at less than cost, others will have to be charged more. Net neutrality cannot be like our former foreign policy of non-alignment (neutrality as between two contesting great powers) but leaning on the side of the former USSR.