Internet is built around the idea of openness. It allows
people to connect and exchange information freely, if the information or
service is not illegal. Much of this is because of the idea of net neutrality.
If you like the current state of the internet, you should know about net
neutrality. Many web users are aware of it. But if you are not, don’t worry. We
explain it here:
What is net neutrality?
Net neutrality
is an idea derived from how telephone lines have worked since the beginning of
the 20th century. In case of a telephone line, you can dial any number and
connect to it. It does not matter if you are calling from operator A to
operator B. It doesn’t matter if you are calling a restaurant or a drug dealer.
The operators neither block the access to a number nor deliberately delay
connection to a particular number, unless forced by the law. Most of the
countries have rules that ask telecom operators to provide an unfiltered and
unrestricted phone service.
When the
internet started to take off in the 1980s and 1990s, there were no specific
rules that asked internet service providers (ISPs) to follow the same
principle. But, mostly because telecom operators were also ISPs, they adhered
to the same principle. This principle is known as net neutrality. An ISP does
not control the traffic that passes its servers. When a web user connects to a
website or web service, he or she gets the same speed. Data rate for Youtube
videos and Facebook photos is theoretically same. Users can access any legal
website or web service without any interference from an ISP.
Some countries
have rules that enforce net neutrality but most don’t. Instead, the principle
is followed because that is how it has always been. It is more of a norm than a
law.
How did net neutrality shape the internet?
Net neutrality
has shaped the internet in two fundamental ways. One, web users are free to
connect to whatever website or service they want. ISPs do not bother with what
kind of content is flowing from their servers. This has allowed the internet to
grow into a truly global network and has allowed people to freely express
themselves. For example, you can criticize your ISP on a blog post and the ISP
will not restrict access to that post for its other subscribers even though the
post may harm its business.
But, more
importantly, net neutrality has enabled a level playing field on the internet.
To start a website, you don’t need a lot of money or connections. Just host
your website and you are good to go. If your service is good, it will find
favour with web users. Unlike cable TV, where you have to forge alliances with
cable connection providers to make sure that your channel reaches viewers, on
the internet you don’t have to talk to ISPs to put your website online. This
has led to the creation of Google, Facebook, Twitter and countless other
services.
All of these
services had very humble beginnings. They started as basic websites with modest
resources. But they succeeded because net neutrality allowed web users to
access these websites in an easy and unhindered way.
What will happen if there is no net neutrality?
If there is no
net neutrality, ISPs will have the power (and inclination) to shape internet
traffic so that they can derive extra benefit from it. For example, several
ISPs believe that they should be allowed to charge companies for services like
YouTube and Netflix because these services consume more bandwidth compared to a
normal website. Basically, these ISPs want a share in the money that YouTube or
Netflix make.
Without net
neutrality, the internet as we know it will not exist. Instead of free access,
there could be “package plans” for consumers. For example, if you pay Rs 500,
you will only be able to access websites based in India. To access
international websites, you may have to pay more. Or maybe there can be
different connection speeds for different types of content, depending on how much
you are paying for the service and what “add-on package” you have bought.
Lack of net
neutrality will also spell doom for innovation on the web. It is possible that
ISPs will charge web companies to enable faster access to their websites. Those
who don’t pay may see their websites opening slowly. This means bigger
companies like Google will be able to pay more to make access to Youtube or
Google+ faster for web users but a startup that wants to create a different and
better video hosting site may not be able to do that.
Instead of an
open and free internet, without net neutrality we are likely to get a web that
has silos in it and to enter each silo, you will have to pay some “tax” to
ISPs.
What is the state of net neutrality in India?
Legally, the
concept of net neutrality doesn’t exist in India. Sunil Abraham, director of
Centre for Internet and Society in Bangalore, says that Trai, which regulates
the telecom industry, has tried to come up with some rules regarding net
neutrality several times. For example it invited comments on the concept of net
neutrality from industry bodies and stakeholders in 2006. But no formal rules
have been formed to uphold and enforce net neutrality.
However,
despite the lack of formal rules, ISPs in India mostly adhere to the principal
of net neutrality. There have been some incidents where Indian ISPs have
ignored net neutrality, but these are few and far between.
Will the concept of net neutrality survive?
Net neutrality
is sort of a gentlemen’s agreement. It has survived so far because few people
realized the potential of internet when it took off around 30 years ago. But
now, when the internet is an integral part of the society and incredibly
important, ISPs across the world are trying to get the power to shape and
control the traffic. But there are ways to keep net neutrality alive.
Consumers
should demand that ISPs continue their handsoff approach from internet traffic.
If consumers see a violation of net neutrality, they ought to take a proactive
approach and register their displeasure with the ISP. They should also reward
ISPs that uphold net neutrality.
At the same
time, as Abraham says, Trai needs to come out with a set of clear and precise
rules that protect net neutrality.
“We have
started seeing ISPs trying to take control of the traffic that flows from their
servers but Trai can regulate them. It can keep the internet open and
consumer-friendly by forming rules that protect net neutrality. These are early
days, so it is easy to do. If ISPs manage to change the system, it may be too
late,” he says.
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