Airtel to launch Airtel Zero platform violating Network neturality

  • Thread starter Thread starter Navjot Singh
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Navjot Singh

Navjot Singh

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Bharti Airtel is launching a new platform that will enable users to get access to applications and services with zero data charges. Called ‘Airtel Zero’, the platform will allow users to access chat apps, e-commerce sites, gaming portals and other Internet-based services without having to pay for the data usage.

Under the new model, Airtel will collect the data charges from the app service providers.

Airtel is in talks with potential partners and is expected to launch with at least 100 apps on the platform.
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Airtel offers free internet access under ‘Zero’ plan | Business Line
 
I don't find its violating Network neturality. Its their free service, so they can decide which services to provide through their zero plan internet.
For access to complete internet, we can always subscribe to full internet packs.

I think this Zero plan is to counter FB+Reliance internet.org internet plan.
 
It does violate network neutrality. The subscribers of these zero packs will enjoy the services of only those apps which Airtel and the app developers with big pockets will push to you. This is one way of killing the competition. The startups which can't afford to pay ISPs fees to put themselves on such Zero internet plans will suffer at the hands of bigger companies. This violates the basic rule of network neutrality that there should be no discrimination in the content being offered.

Bigger companies get benefited. Airtel is charging the Apps for using their infrastructure. Consumers only see content which Airtel and Companies with big pockets want them to see. Where is the freedom?
 
Question is will Airtel provide the apps under the zero program faster access, if yes, its the same thing.

Competition of the apps in the zero plan will be forced to pay Airtel to be included to stay competitive..
 
Soon normal plan prices will be increased and zero plan will be "low cost" specific apps plan
 

yup. the whole concept of network neutrality is focused on preserving the ability of new emerging companies to challenge existing giants.

flipkart supports airtel zero. this would push snapdeal and Amazon to support airtel zero too. airtel zero would push competing mobile operators to launch a comparable platform. and these companies would then need to support them too. in the end, only bigger companies would be available on these free networks. millions of users would be happy accessing them exclusively on their mobile devices with little need to pay for data. what would a startup do to compete against flipkart/amazon/snapdeal? airtel zero is a walled garden. it is not good for anyone except for the bigger companies and the mobile companies.
 
I think this concept exists in all markets.
E.g. in Shopping malls, bigger brands get preference over smaller brands, or Reliance Mall will give more display for its products. Even Tata Sky gives priority to Star channels, same like Dish TV for Zee and Sun Direct for Sun TV channels. Other small channels have to pay carriage fees to get channel number above in list. Even when there are govt tenders for some projects, or tender by some companies for services (e.g. Transport service), provider with deep pocket bids lower and gets contract, and small providers are pushed out of contest.

I am not justifying that small companies should suffer, and govt should enforce some anti-competitive laws like US/EU does in their countries/regions. I am just trying to say it does not fit in category of violating net-nuetrality.
Violating net neutrality could be if Airtel is providing high speed for some websites and slow speed for other websites by taking money from this "rich" websites. Though I am not sure if it is happening already?
 
This is why Internet is so different. This is why Internet needs to be saved from the same fate as other communication mediums like TV and Radio. Network Neutrality is also about access and not just about fat and thin pipes. The concept is focused on providing equal access rights to everyone. Consumers and service providers.
 
Exactly.

Core principles of Network Neutrality
  1. All sites must be equally accessible: ISPs and telecom operators shouldn’t block certain sites or apps just because they don’t pay them.
  2. All sites must be accessible at the same speed (at an ISP level): This means no speeding up of certain sites because of business deals. More importantly, it means no slowing down some sites.
  3. The cost of access must be the same for all sites (per Kb/Mb or as per data plan): This means no “Zero Rating”. In countries like India, Net Neutrality is more about cost of access than speed of access, because, well, we don’t have fast and slow lanes: all lanes are slow.
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Airtel is violating the first principle here. By creating a wall of apps which have paid them and blocking rest.
 
And Facebook/Reliance not doing same by their internet.org service?
 
They are. Who said they are not?

Even opera is doing so with their mobile browser where you can access few sites for free.
 
internet.org is violating network neutrality and is opposed by a lot of organizations including eff.
 

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