Ques: When did the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the ‘Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016’?
(a) 9 February 2016
(b) 8 February 2016
(c) 5 February 2016
(d) 6 February 2016
Ans (b)
Related facts:
- On 8 February 2016 TRAI has issued the ‘Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016’.
- This regulation disallows service providers to offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content being accessed by a consumer.
- TRAI had earlier issued a Consultation Paper on ‘Differential Pricing for Data Services’ on 9 December, 2015.
- This Consultation primarily sought the views of the stakeholders on whether the service providers should be allowed to charge differential tariffs based on the websites/applications/platforms being accessed on the internet.
- Based on the responses received and the internal deliberations, the Authority has now issued these Regulations.
- These Regulations are aimed at ensuring that consumers get an unhindered and non-discriminatory access to the internet.
- These Regulations intend to make data tariffs for access to the internet nondiscriminatory on the basis of the content.
- TRAI will keep a close watch on the implementation of the mandate by the service providers and may undertake a review after two years or at an earlier date as it may deem fit.
- TRAI said a fine of Rs. 50,000 would be levied per day, subject to a maximum of Rs. 50 lakh, for any violation of these regulations by the service providers. An exemption, however, has been made for offering emergency services.
- The ruling is a big setback for Facebook’s free Internet program Free Basics.
- Free Basics by Facebook provides people with access to useful services on their mobile phones in markets where internet access may be less affordable. The websites are available for free without data charges.
- It included content on things like news, employment, health, education and local information.
- The Facebook in 2013 had launched Free Basic Plan by the name of “Internet.org”.
- The scheme has been implemented in 36 countries so far.
- Facebook claims north of 1.5 billion monthly active users (MAUs), its approaching saturation point in many western markets.
- Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg has done huge campaign for the promotion of the Free Basics.
- In recent days Facebook’s free Internet program Free Basics has been widely criticized for violating the principles of net neutrality.
- Those who support it, argue that the millions of people who live outside the realm of the Internet can be added free of charge.
- Net Neutrality means that the “Internet equally accessible for everyone”.
- Currently, India is ranked second in the world in terms of Internet users.
- It is estimated that at the end of 2015, approximately 400 million people in India are using the Internet.
Reference:
http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/WhatsNew/Documents/Regulation_Data_Service.pdf
http://trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/PressRealease/Document/Press_Release_No_13%20.pdf
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=136211
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/internet/trai-rules-in-favour-of-net-neutrality/article8209455.ece
https://info.internet.org/en/story/free-basics-from-internet-org/
http://globalservicesmedia.com/2016/02/08/india-bans-facebooks-free-basics-law-targets-discriminatory-tariffs-and-supports-net-neutrality/