India just got more backing for Net Neutrality

Internet users may not have to worry much as most of the industry bodies are on their side over the Net Neutrality debate in India. In the favour of free access to internet now is the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).

In its response to the Department of Telecom paper on Net Neutrality, IAMAI has clearly stated that it opposes zero-rated plans of any type.
Even Facebook could not influence the industry body. Reportedly, the social networking site had tried to prevent IAMAI from taking an anti-zero rating stand in its submission.

The association said that it did not support any plans that violate principles of net neutrality, either paid or unpaid.

“These plans will ultimately harm Internet content and service providers by limiting competition among them, and, by extension, limit consumer choice,” stated IAMAI.

Not only this, IAMAI is also against the proposal to licence domestic and national calls as recommended by the DoT paper.

This means, DoT was planning to regularise domestic calls made using Skype, Whatsapp and Viber at par with phone call services offered by telecom operators.

The government's portal MyGov had invited comments from citizens on the DoT panel's recommendations.