Internet has become an indispensable part of our lives for it has made the world a smaller place by turning it into one global market. It has made the world a hub of information bank where multimedia data is exchanged extensively across continents.
Amid the raging debate over Net Neutrality, it becomes imperative that we take a stand. At a time when the Internet has revolutionized communication technology, the controversy over a need to maintain equal Internet access for all has compelled many to come out in support for equal treatment to all Internet traffic. To protect technological communication and to ensure that it reaches greater heights we need to ensure that we protect Net Neutrality.

The issue of Net Neutrality gained national attention after Telecom operator Bharti Airtel announced its ‘Airtel Zero’ plan —the open marketing platform that allows customers to access a variety of mobile applications for free, with the data charges being paid by start-ups and large companies, has received a lot of flack from Internet activists and experts. Last month, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had sought views of public on Net Neutrality in India. Over one lakh netizens have already written to the telecom regulator in support of Net Neutrality in the country.

We can only assume that good sense prevailed and e-commerce major Flipkart switched sides to support Net Neutrality thereby deciding to walk away from its proposed tie-up with Airtel.

Internet is still largely unregulated and free. Now, given the fact that Internet or the digital world has become an intrinsic part of our lives, the free and fair usage of Internet requires urgent attention and action. That the Internet needs to be free and fair is not always grounded by price factor. The factor that gains prominence here is the freedom to choose. And since the Internet is still evolving, it must be ensured that the foundation principle of Internet –free access for all –is kept intact.
While it will not be an exaggeration to say that Internet has become as essential as air and water for quality life, many would agree that access to the digital world should be made a fundamental right. The monopoly or cartel to skew the Internet in the favour of certain corporates tampers with this fundamental right.
The foundation principle of Internet is based on the fact that it does not matter if your’s is a company worth $100 billion or 100. The underlying principle of Internet lies in the fact that everyone has equal access to it. Hence, companies with deep pockets, using their money to gain preferential treatment or manipulating Internet traffic to their benefit violates this very principle. It also denies the customers free choice because the consumer is being forced to choose a product or service through external factors.
It further escalates the fear that by throttling the neutrality of the Internet, big corporates in the long run will monopolize it thereby compromising the fundamental nature of Internet.
The concept of preferential treatment for net users vis-a-vis other websites will leave small/emerging start-ups at the mercy of big money. And if that happens, innovation on Internet will die since the ‘net is all about ideas. The Internet economy is an idea driven economy and meritocracy is the key to it. The success story of Google, Flipkart, Facebook, Amazon, Alibaba, etc bear testimony to this. In the absence of Net Neutrality, meritocracy will be compromised and we will not be able to witness the creation of next Flipkart, Amazon or Google.