Amid raging debate over net neutrality in India, the United States’ Federal Communications Commission has junked the 2015 rules that offered free and open internet.This ruling now enables the internet service providers in the US to decide what consumers can access over their network.
The earlier rules had barred from blocking, slowing access to or charging more for certain content.However, this might not be the end and the case is likely to be dragged into the halls of higher courts in the US.Though US FCC’s decision may not have a direct effect on India, it could have some ripple effects.
Last month, Indian telecom regulator – Trai – said that it is in favour of net neutrality. The telecom regulator also said that the service providers cannot enter into any kind of discrimination on internet services based on content, apps or any other service or data that travels on the internet.
Trai, which has been discussing the net neutrality issue for the last two year, however, allowed operators to offer specialised services which are not detrimental to the overall quality of Internet Access Services.Net neutrality is the principle that means all Internet service providers should allow access to all content without favouring any particular service or website.