Kicking away the unrightful proposal, raising voice against
the unethical practices of Facebook to have complete authority to control the accessibility of internet content. The free basics have been condemned by the telecom regulatory authority of India. Facebook’s Free Basics app, which was
launched in association with Reliance Communications, is now banned. TRAI has
taken a strong stand against linking of free data with specific content, noting
that allowing something like this hamper the idea of an ‘open Internet’ and has asked Reliance Communication to keep it in Abeyance.
Facebook has already spent a whooping
Rs. 300 crores to get people to support
it’s free basics programme which was not only going to negatively impact other
networking giants but also question our citizen’s calibre to think and reason.
It’s good to see people use their presence of mind in following blindly to what
is being offered free of cost and stand up against the expedient ways of the
organisation to have carte blanche.
TRAI has ruled against differential pricing.
This practice takes advantage of a company’s position and product offerings and
services to maximize the profits. A
differential pricing strategy allows the company to adjust pricing based on
various situations or circumstances. The price variations come in different
forms, from discounts for a particular group of people to coupons or rebates
for a purchase. Offering discounts allows your company to
expand to customers who might not otherwise buy your product. The lower price
makes your business more attractive to the groups you target. The company's
overall sales increase due to this expanded customer base.
- No service provider shall enter into any
arrangement, agreement or contract, by whatever name called, with any
person, natural or legal, that has the effect of discriminatory tariffs
for data services being offered or charged by the service provider for the
purpose of evading the prohibition in this regulation.
- Reduced tariff for accessing or providing emergency
services, or at times of public emergency has been permitted.
- Financial disincentives for contravention of the
regulation have also been specified
TRAI justly estimated the favouritism
and infringement of such discriminating tariffs and hence prohibited any such
practices promoting net neutrality. So India continues to enjoy a platform of open
internet. Cheers!
