GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Communication and Information Technology
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS 

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2615
ANSWERED ON MARCH 20, 2015 

QUESTION
Debate on Net Neutrality

2615. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR:

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

(a)   in reference to the debate on Net Neutrality, the Government's position on whether internet, internet transmission and internet interconnection is similar to traditional telecommunications;

(b)   if so, the rationale for the same; and

(c)    if not, the approach that shall be adopted by Government to ensure proper regulatory oversight over all of the above?

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

(a) to (c): At present, the issues pertaining to net neutrality are in consultative stage. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is contemplating release of a consultation paper covering issues related to ‘Over the Top’ (OTT) players, including net-neutrality. In addition to this, Department of Telecommunications has also constituted a committee to recommend overall policy response to net neutrality.