MTS Rolls Out Open Web Data Plans Starting At Rs 299 Across 9 Circles

BANGALORE: Seeking to put itself on the right side of the Net neutrality debate, Sistema Shyam Teleservices (SSTL) launched open Web data plans, starting at Rs 299, giving users equal access to all websites and services.

The company, which operates under MTS brand, termed the plans in its nine telecom circles as ‘anti-zero rating plans’, which are designed to provide absolute freedom to customers to surf, call and chat freely and fairly.

“The competitively priced data plans offer customers not just high quantum of data, but more importantly, the absolute freedom to surf, call and chat freely and as per their choice,” it said in a statement.

This initiative, the company said, is part of a larger customer-centric programme that aims at enabling and empowering Netizens to have equal access to all lawful websites and services on the Internet and “reaffirms its commitment to uphold Internet’s ability to foster innovation, provide access to knowledge and freedom of speech”.

There has been a debate over zero-rating plans and other such schemes like internet.org as they are seen to violate the basic tenet of Net neutrality.

Net neutrality implies equal treatment is accorded to all Internet traffic and no priority is given to an entity or company based on payment to content or service providers such as telecom companies, which is seen as discriminatory.

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