Uniform Rule For All Players Key To Net Neutrality: Industry

The leadership team of COAI, present in Friday's interaction, included the representatives from Aircel, Airtel, Idea Cellular, Telenor, Videocon and Vodafone India.

Emphasising that the industry did not want "net for few" and that it believes in "net for all", Himanshu Kapania of Idea Cellular said the industry was not seeking new licences for new apps and OTT services, but warned that a free hand to them will impact future investments in the industry.

The telecom industry contributes 3.5 percent to India's gross domestic product. It has cumulative investments of over 750,000 crore made in the past 20 years.

To make internet available, the industry needs to invest over 500,000 crore in five years, the stakeholders said.

Network neutrality, or open inter-working, means that in accessing the World Wide Web, one is in full control over how to go online, where to go and what to do, as long as these are lawful. It calls for all lawful content on the internet to be treated in a neutral manner.

"Let the government decide the rules of the game," said Vodafone's Sunil Sood.

The COAI, which is essentially the GSM body in India, on Friday announced "Sabka Internet, Sabka Vikas" with a dedicated portal www.sabkainternet.in -- an initiative to connect one billion unconnected citizens of India.

The country has 86 million broadband customers.
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