TRAI rules out 'discriminatory practices' on Internet

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI) issued recommendations on net neutrality on Tuesday.

The TRAI said that the service providers should not enter into any kind of agreementwhich may lead to discriminatory treatment of content on the Internet.

"Service providers should be restricted from entering into any arrangement, agreement or contract by whatever name called... That has the effect of discriminatory treatment based on content...," TRAI said.

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It has also proposed for a multi-stakeholder body comprising telecom and internet service providers, content providers, civil society organisations and consumer representatives for monitoring and investigation of violations.

TRAI said that discriminatory treatment may include any form of restriction or interference in the treatment of content on the Internet.This includes blocking, degrading, slowing down or providing preferential speeds or treatment to any other content.

TRAI has also favouredmodifying of licensing norms to ensure"explicit restrictions" on discrimination in Internet access based on content.

In his previous judgment that came out in 2016,TRAI had barred platforms like Facebook's Internet.Org and Airtel Zero which allowed free access to few select websites.

(With inputs from PTI)