Net Neutrality- YOUR TURN TO SAVE THE INTERNET

If you are one of active netizens, it is unlikely that the words Net Neutrality have escaped your daily dose of social media updates and news.

Well, this is something that affects everyone, including you. If you’re not okay with having to pay additional money every month to use apps like WhatsApp, Google Hangouts, Instagram, Facebook, Skype and all the others you spend a lot of your time on, this is an issue that should bother you, and one you should be concerned about. As the citizens of our country it is our duty to fight for ourselves.

As Gandhiji said, “Let each do his duty. If I do my duty, that is, serve myself, I shall be able to serve others.”

So, if we are not getting something that we should, then we have to work for it and stand for our right, take actions towards getting it. Well, generally every individual has different point of views, different perspectives of analyzing things. What we see as a pro, the other person may see it as a con. If half of the population would fight for net neutrality, others may stand against it.

The other day, I was reading an argument against net neutrality which mentioned that “ ISPs (Internet Service Providers) generally want to prevent illegal file     swapping over their networks, both due to the legal issues and for basically the same bandwidth reasons”

So, if they really want to prevent illegal file swapping they could take more actions towards it rather than just declining the service for everyone else. All content on the internet is equal, all accessible at the speed you’re paying for. Once you have an internet connection, you must get the right to access almost every single thing on the internet. But Telecom operators in country want to change that. They have approached the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) to be allowed to provide differential internet access to users all over the country. Which means, that above the amount you pay for your internet connection, you will have to pay money to access different websites and apps. And if you don’t pay up, your internet connection will be slowed down and at worst, you will be denied access to the content altogether. Which is nowhere a fair deal with the users.

Now, to further continue this debate let me tell you that what actually, net neutrality is? And what are we debating for?

What is net neutrality?

            

Net Neutrality is the Internet’s guiding principle: It preserves our right to communicate freely online. This is the definition of an open Internet.

From Wiki:

Net neutrality is the principle that ISP’s and Government should treat all the data equally. There will be no discrimination between two sites, or no website would be favored over other.

Net neutrality implies that all internet data pack should be treated equally. Also, that there should be no fast or slow lanes for Internet, or that users should pay differently for accessing some websites.

Net Neutrality means an Internet that enables and protects free speech. It means that Internet service providers should provide us with open networks — and should not block or discriminate against any applications or content that ride over those networks. Just as your mobile service provide shouldn't decide who you can call and what you say on that call, your ISP shouldn't be concerned with the content you view or post online.

Who’s attacking net neutrality?

Net Neutrality opponents are working everywhere from Congress to the courts to dismantle or undermine the FCC’s Title II classification. In the wake of the February ruling, 10 lawsuits designed to gut Net Neutrality have been filed (Free Press has jumped in to defend the rules) and legislators have introduced numerous deceptive bills that would demolish these protections.  

Though apart from normal users just like you and me, there are several others for whom net neutrality is important.Net Neutrality is crucial for small business owners, startups and entrepreneurs, who rely on the open Internet to launch their businesses, create a market, advertise their products and services, and distribute products to customers. We need the open Internet to foster job growth, competition and innovation.

But the main problem with our country is that a layman would never stand for his right even if he sees something is not right. Ours is a country where discrimination has played a major role since early ages till today. On one hand we talk about digital India and Internet.org and on the other we don’t even have the right to access what we pay for. Why?

This is probably because we, as citizens of India do not take actions. And even if we do, we have to compromise because of the one’s involved in decision making.

In countries other than India, they have free Wi-Fi access all over and In India we don’t even have the access for what we pay.

Discriminatory pricing proposals are what activists fear could take place if India abandons its stand on Net Neutrality, and users will be the one to suffer.

It’s not about being traitorous and judging the country but the point is every one of us should take actions towards this and help change the picture of India. It is fair to argue that Net Neutrality has helped preserve the Internet’s free and open character in India and that a deviation from the same will hurt users the most. We in India brag about our rights but not to forget we need to provide Internet access to more of our citizens especially those who can’t afford it.