Eduction
Net Neutrality and Free Basics - Truth and False Hoods
Dt: 1/1/2016
Net Neutrality and Free Basics - Truth and False Hoods
Dr T.H.Chowdary*
The Chairman Sri R.S.Sharma of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in his interview to the Business Standard (dt. 1/1/16) has raised certain issues regarding net neutrality and Free Basics and he also referred to the Consultation Paper on Differential Pricing on the Internet which has resulted in the receipt of a few million responses. I have been for more than three decades a votary of free and fair competition and end of monopolies in telecommunications all of which have by now been realised, thanks to extraordinarily bold and wise policies of Prime Ministers, Sri P.V. Narasimha Rao and Sri Atal Behari Vajpayee. The Center for Telecom Management & Studies (C.T.M.S) which was founded 26 years ago to campaign for the privatisation of telecom services spearheaded the movement for end of monopoly of Videsh Sanchar Nigam (VSNL) and privatisation of the Internet services. The policies of the NDA-II (1999-2004) paved the way for rapid growth of the Internet services in the country. The benefits of Internet should reach every young and adult citizen of this country. Every step in this regard whether by government or private companies should be welcome. Let me refer to two question raised by the Chairman, TRAI.
2. The first question is whether telecom operators can charge different prices for offering data services. If the government can do this for several services, why should not private companies be allowed to do so. For eg. for a train journey between two stations, the government’s Indian Railways charge differently for passenger trains, for express trains, and super fast expresses ; charge differently for air conditioned and non-air conditioned berths and for different classes. The distance is the same yet there are different prices depending upon the time taken for the journey as well as the comfort in the travel. If a socialist government can charge so differently, what is the moral objection for competing private companies to charge differently? The consumers have a choice . Only if choice is not there, then can it be objectionable.
3. The second point raised is : Can Internet be free for some and not for all. The socialist governments in India are giving free electricity for some ; no property tax for some ; Rs. 1 per KG rice for some while for the rest it is Rs. 30-40 per kg; for ordinary people there are certain rates for their breakfast items whereas they are priced only at a fraction of the market rate for Members of Parliament. And yet, this is passing as socialism and social justice and inclusive governance!
4. Net Neutrality is a seductive slogan like socialism and secularism. Expounding more on this aspect is the article that I penned some time ago. It will be good for everyone to read this ( go to website: www.drthchowdary.net ). In the name of the poor and the disadvantaged and the common man, some sections of our population are given many things free or at highly subsidised rates. Why should this socialist practice be out of bounds for private Internet and telephone companies? Why should not the principle “tax those who can afford and freely feed those who can’t afford” be applied as “charge those who can afford and give free Internet to those who can’t afford to pay”. (550 words)
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