Rajeev Chandrasekhar's official website - Member of Parliament

Ministry of Communication and Information Technology
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2309
TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.05.2016
Legislation on Net Neutrality

2309. Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government proposes to introduce a legislation on Net Neutrality in Parliament, in keeping with its promise to ensure that Indian consumers are guaranteed
a free, fair, open and accessible internet; and

(b) if so, the time-line by which the Government proposes to do so?
 

Answer
THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) & (b) Government is committed to core principles of Net Neutrality through appropriate policy framework.

In this regard, Telecom regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a consultation paper “Regulatory Framework for Over-The-Top(OTT) Services” on 27.03.2015. TRAI has also released its regulation “Prohibition of discriminatory tariffs for data services, Regulations, 2016” on 8th Feb, 2016, which, inter alia, prohibits any service provider from offering or charging discriminatory tariff for data services on the basis of content.

Government policy on Net Neutrality shall be finalized after taking into account recommendations of committee constituted by Department of Telecommunications and recommendations of Telecom regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and other inputs to the Government. TRAI recommendations on the issue are awaited, whereupon Government will take final view.

Top