Competition Commission of India (CCI) reiterates their stand to wait for the recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to scrutinize net neutrality issue, says it Chairman Ashok Chawla.
According to Chawla, the issue of net neutrality is a policy issue and it is not something can be decided without understanding the stand of TRAI in the case. “The regulator has to decide first. Based on whatever happens in terms of behavior as in conformity and nonconformity of policy, we will see and in any case if they are going to interact with us they are welcome,” Chawla told press.
CCI will order a probe against the telecom operators only if there is a prima-facie evidence of violation of norms.
Meanwhile the first meeting of Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT to discuss net neutrality decided to reconsider the matter in the next session of Parliament in June. The Parliamentary committee meeting drove criticisms from several members, as it was seen to have invited only a few chosen telecom operators -- Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular to present their views. The three players have understood to have submitted a 120-page report to the Ministry.
The meeting also turned apprehensive for the absence OTT players, consumer group and state-owned operators like BSNL and MTNL. Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Government stays committed to provide ‘non-discriminatory’ access to internet for all its citizens.
