The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Thursday came out with its much awaited report on the issue of net neutrality in India. The DoT panel, which was looking into the issue, said that the net neutrality is a vital to the good internet experience and that "the committee unhesitatingly recommends that the core principles of net neutrality must be adhered to".

While the DoT recommendations are not yet binding on any entity, they may help TRAI, the telecom regulator in India, and government to come up with norms that would uphold and safeguard the net neutrality. The concept of net neutrality stipulates that all the traffic on the internet has to be treated in the same way so that all users, irrespective of what they access, get similar experience.

Also Read: Everything you want to know about net neutrality

The DoT reports, which runs into over 100 pages, is seemingly one of the most clear government communications on the matter of net neutrality so far. Even as the report recommends upholding net neutrality, it realises the nuances part of the debate. It says that some traffic shaping can be considered if the process is transparent and if it aids the user experience. Similarly, it recognises that there could be a few grey areas where more public debate and discussion may be required in future.

"The international best practices along with core principles of net neutrality will help in formulating India specific net neutrality approach. India should take a rational approach and initiate action in making an objective policy, specific to the needs of our country. The timing for this is apt, taking into consideration the exponential growth of content and applications on the internet," noted the report.

More significantly, it addresses the question of over the top (OTT) services like WhatsApp that telecom operators allege have an unfair advantage because they are not licenced. But the report says "specific OTT communication services dealing with messaging should not be interfered with through regulatory instruments."

It also adds, "OTT application services have been traditionally available in the market for some time and such services enhance consumer welfare and increase productivity. Therefore, such services should be actively encouraged and any impediments in expansion and growth of OTT application services should be removed."

The debate over net neutrality was sparked in the country in April this year when TRAI sought recommendations of the topic after coming out with its consultation paper. The paper, which was haphazardly written and seemed against the concept of net neutrality, saw thousands of web users taking to social media to show their displeasure at the idea of doing away with net neutrality.

The DOT recommendations also make it clear that violating net neutrality, even for public good, is not a good idea. Content and application providers cannot be permitted to act as gatekeepers and use network operations to extract value in violation of core principles of net neutrality, even if it is for an ostensible public purpose," it noted.

You can read the full DoT report here.

