NEW DELHI: After net neutrality, universal broadband connectivity is the next priority, says Rajeev Chadrasekhar, Member of Parliament and one of the earliest to fight against the telecom companies to control the internet and ran campaign in favour of net neutrality.
The Telecom Commission (TC), the highest-decision making body within the department of telecommunications (DoT) on Wednesday approved the new neutrality rules, after two years of deliberations and discussion on the topic.
The government has however kept some some "critical" and specialized services out of its purview.
“As we will now have the National Digital Communications Policy also in place soon, the next priority should be on providing universal broadband connectivity i.e., getting internet to all billion Indians. Just like we have a billion Indians today connected by voice, on cellular and wireless, we must get a billion Indians connected to the net,” Chandrasekhar told TNIE.
He has initiated a campaign in 2014, which gained momentum after 2.85 lakh consumers signed his petition in 2015.
“By approving Net Neutrality Rules, the Government has accepted the basic fact that the internet must be free, fair and open and there cannot be cabelization of internet or any walled gardens. Now that there cannot be any prioritization of access, the basic principles of Net Neutrality have been upheld and recognized by the government, and that is brilliant because it places India’s Internet regulation regime at a higher pedestal even that of the USA,” Chandrasekhar said.