Topics Covered: Net Neutrality
Net Neutrality
All traffic on the internet must be treated equally by Internet Service Providers(ISPs).
Genesis
Bharti Airtel's concern that Apps like Viber and others are making windfall gains by providing online calling using Voice over Internet Protocol(VOIP). Their own revenues started falling in this light. Then Facebook brought in the idea of "Internet.org". And recently we had "Airtel Zero", from where "Flip"Kart did a U-turn, keeping up it's name!
Not a new phenomenon though. The concept was in debate right since the inception of Telegram in the late 19th Century where preference was given to certain elite customers. In the 1990s, USA witnessed a exponential rise in the support base for Net neutrality. Coming forward, January 12, 2003- Law Professor Tim Wu coins phrase Net Neutrality while discussing “competing contents and applications.”
Why is it bad?
It is anti-competition and would only be useful for the big companies which reign in market share and have colossal capital to invest in this capture of the network. "Network" is a public resource and this way we would be killing the "Democratic character". If this trend catches up, the Telecommunication companies would become the gate keepers of the Internet which is not called for. And this would severely damage the chances of start-ups and entrepreneurs of making it big in this ultra competitive market.
Defense for Telecos?
Making a case for them, we can argue with the argument they highlighted at the first place that other Application based software companies like Viber etc are making huge profits at the expense of them. Telecos are the ones who buy the spectrum and they should thus get a cut in the profits others are making my keeping the guns over their shoulders. Also, in the larger picture, this is pro-consumer initiative where he can avail all the essential services in one single scheme. And telecos are not discriminating here but only offering a marketing platform for other firms.
Revolutionary Ideas?
Thinking of ways in which Net neutrality is bad brings us closer to the idea of "Positive discrimination". Give it a moment and ponder "Why do we charge data rates for educational videos and content". When clearly our constitution promotes the idea of free and fair primary education, why do we still charge for electronic education content. Here the net neutrality can be seen in a bad light. The idea is very similar to "Open Source" Software.
The Govt is looking for suggestions and the last date is April 24th. Still is novel topic to be fair. Keep yourself updated with the latest developments!
P.S. This video by AIB on Net Neutrality is really cool !
Net Neutrality
All traffic on the internet must be treated equally by Internet Service Providers(ISPs).
Genesis
Bharti Airtel's concern that Apps like Viber and others are making windfall gains by providing online calling using Voice over Internet Protocol(VOIP). Their own revenues started falling in this light. Then Facebook brought in the idea of "Internet.org". And recently we had "Airtel Zero", from where "Flip"Kart did a U-turn, keeping up it's name!
Not a new phenomenon though. The concept was in debate right since the inception of Telegram in the late 19th Century where preference was given to certain elite customers. In the 1990s, USA witnessed a exponential rise in the support base for Net neutrality. Coming forward, January 12, 2003- Law Professor Tim Wu coins phrase Net Neutrality while discussing “competing contents and applications.”
Why is it bad?
It is anti-competition and would only be useful for the big companies which reign in market share and have colossal capital to invest in this capture of the network. "Network" is a public resource and this way we would be killing the "Democratic character". If this trend catches up, the Telecommunication companies would become the gate keepers of the Internet which is not called for. And this would severely damage the chances of start-ups and entrepreneurs of making it big in this ultra competitive market.
Defense for Telecos?
Making a case for them, we can argue with the argument they highlighted at the first place that other Application based software companies like Viber etc are making huge profits at the expense of them. Telecos are the ones who buy the spectrum and they should thus get a cut in the profits others are making my keeping the guns over their shoulders. Also, in the larger picture, this is pro-consumer initiative where he can avail all the essential services in one single scheme. And telecos are not discriminating here but only offering a marketing platform for other firms.
Revolutionary Ideas?
Thinking of ways in which Net neutrality is bad brings us closer to the idea of "Positive discrimination". Give it a moment and ponder "Why do we charge data rates for educational videos and content". When clearly our constitution promotes the idea of free and fair primary education, why do we still charge for electronic education content. Here the net neutrality can be seen in a bad light. The idea is very similar to "Open Source" Software.
The Govt is looking for suggestions and the last date is April 24th. Still is novel topic to be fair. Keep yourself updated with the latest developments!
P.S. This video by AIB on Net Neutrality is really cool !
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