COAI reaffirms support for net neutrality, says Internet is for all

The industry association has called for a drive to build a Digital India and connect a billion citizens. It has also urged a comprehensive debate on net neutrality from an India perspective

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | April 20, 2015

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has reaffirmed its support to net neutrality and made a strong pitch for 'net equality' that will enable access to the Internet for a billion Indians as part of the Government's Digital India vision.

The Association urged all stakeholders to have a comprehensive and informed debate on the subject of net neutrality, keeping in mind the requirements of India and its citizens. An important and complex subject such as this, which is still being debated in many countries, which has taken years to conclude in many other countries and which is the subject of litigation in some, should not be left to the opinion of a few, it said in a statement issued.

Clearing misconceptions that have arisen from the recent public debate over net neutrality and concerns over operators who are trying to control the consumers' access to the Internet, COAI said, “We support an open Internet and believe that consumers should decide what to do online. Our job is to enable consumers to benefit from that freedom. We offer choice and do not block or provide any preferential access to any web site or app.”

COAI also underlined its commitment to the Digital India story and called for an open, inclusive and affordable Internet access for every Indian. The industry association added that India's telecom revolution has empowered over 950 million citizens through affordable services and the Internet revolution must now touch every citizen of the country.

Create an enabling and equal environment

Without infrastructure and investment, there will be no Internet access. The operators have invested billions of dollars in license fees, spectrum fees and network rollouts. Yet, the Industry still makes negative return on the capital employed.

The industry estimates that the country would need an additional capital outlay of Rs 300,000 crore to Rs 500,000 crore over the next 10 years in spectrum, new technology, equipment, towers, optical fibre backbone, etc., to meet the Prime Minister's vision of Digital India, and connect 1 billion Indians to the Internet. The need of the hour, therefore, is to have a sustainable industry that has the ability to invest in growth of data services and connectivity to all.

Promote innovation to enable Internet for all

India has over 950 million mobile subscribers – the second largest in the world. This growth was enabled by innovation across the ecosystem – in the ever expanding complex networks, outsourcing models, infrastructure sharing, innovative pricing structures – that allowed operators to offer customers some of the most innovative and affordable call rates in the world.

The same spirit is needed to connect a billion Indians to the Internet. This means innovations across the ecosystem – affordable smartphones, more efficient networks, even more broad ranging applications (especially in areas such as education, health, governance) and pricing flexibility – that promotes greater digital inclusion.

Ensure the same rules apply to same services to get Internet access to the common man

The COAI statement further said, “We believe that our role is to enable all services to reach customers across the country. One of the key factors to enable this is that the same rules must apply to the same types of services, including mobile and IP voice services. This is the only way to ensure digital inclusion and bring about social and economic good to the common man.

Make Internet access pro-consumer, pro-choice

It should be ensured that customers have the freedom to choose how they want to access the Internet. A customer should be free to choose the device, technology and access platform – paid or subsidised as long as the Internet is always open in terms of access in a non-discriminatory manner. “The interests of a few should not dictate the fundamental right of a customer to choose what he/she wants,” the COAI added.

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