Net neutrality

Subject: Economy

Context:

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has suggested the setting up of a multi-stakeholder body (MSB) to ensure that internet service providers in the country adhere to the principles of net neutrality.

Concept:

• The concept that all data on the internet should be treated equally by corporations, such as internet service providers, and governments, regardless of content, user, platform, application or device.
• Network neutrality requires all Internet service providers (ISPs) to provide the same level of data access and speed to all traffic, and that traffic to one service or website cannot be blocked or degraded.
• ISPs are also not to create special arrangements with services or websites, in which companies providing them are given improved network access or speed.