: The Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), in a letter to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, expressed dissatisfaction over the proposal to create differential access to the internet. The Chamber was responding to the issue of net neutrality after TRAI released a consultation paper on the subject.

While CCCI appreciates the government’s ‘Digital India’ campaign and realises the importance of taking internet to the less privileged rural community, the chamber fails to understand the logic of discriminating websites for the social cause.

The Chamber feels that the Government should prioritise to ensure affordable access to data and information to the people. The government must treat all lawful data on the internet equally and should not charge differentially by their use, content, site and application.

The proposal from a few telecom operators to provide free data is welcome but it should not be at the cost of burdening others.

The internet’s success in fostering innovation and 24x7 access to information were the key drivers for the record internet penetration in India.

Net neutrality is crucial for small business especially start-ups which really bank on open internet to launch their businesses, create a market, advertise their products and also distribute using e-commerce sites.

For an IT savvy State like Kerala, open internet is essential for job growth, competition and innovation. Market innovation together with the Government intervention is the best means for ‘Digital India’.

The Chamber urged the Government to strive for ‘non-discriminatory’ network and to refrain from any policy that will hamper the growth of internet in the country.