Differential data pricing: All you need to know

Social media giant Facebook is agressively pushing its Free Basics scheme, which some say violates the principles of net neutrality. TRAI has issued a consultation draft on differential data pricing. Here is a rundown on the issue.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday extended the last date for submission of comments on its paper on differential data pricing to January 7 from December 30.

Similarly, the last date for counter-comments has been pushed to January 14.

This is the second time the regulatory body has sought views and comments on for framing policies on internet services.

Earlier this year, TRAI released a draft consultation paper seeking views from the industry and the general public on the need for regulations for over-the-top (OTT) players such as Whatsapp, Skype, Viber etc, security concerns and net neutrality. The objective of this consultation paper, the regulator said, was to analyse the implications of the growth of OTTs and consider whether or not changes were required in the current regulatory framework.

This time, the consultation paper is about differential data pricing or zero rated applications and websites — especially as social media giant Facebook is agressively pushing its Free Basics scheme.

Internet activists, on the other hand, have once again put together responses to TRAI's questions, making it easy for internet users to submit their suggestions on differential data pricing.

Here is a rundown on the issue.

Full post