Facebook loses, Net Neutrality wins: Interesting facts

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday ruled in favour of net neutrality and struck down differential pricing.

This means that TRAI barred companies from charging or offering data traffic on discriminatory basis.

This especially comes at a major blow to Facebook's Free Basics and Airtel Zero that plans to offer free internet to users to access certain sites.

Here are some interesting facts about TRAI's ruling in favour of Net Neutrality:

• Net Neutrality wins which means 'no service provider can offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content.'

• It's a major blow to Facebook's Free Basics and Airtel Zero that plans to offer free internet to users to access certain sites.

• Those violoating the law/rule will be fined a penalty of Rs 50,000 per day subject to a maximum penalty of Rs 50 lakh.

• With this ruling, no service provider will be allowed enter into any arrangement or contract that has the effect of discriminatory tariffs for data services.

• TRAI also ruled that no service provider shall enter into any arrangement, agreement or contract, by whatever name called, with any person, natural or legal, that has the effect of discriminatory tariffs for data services being offered or charged to the consumer on the basis of content.

• The telecom apex body however ruled that a service provider may reduce tariff for accessing or providing emergency services.