Net Neutrality – Recent Developments and Context

Net neutrality, the principle ensuring equal treatment of all internet traffic by ISPs, remains a contentious topic globally. While the U.S. grapples with legal challenges, India has established firm regulations via TRAI and the DoT, banning discriminatory data pricing and embedding net neutrality into its Unified Licence framework. India’s net neutrality journey included public resistance to zero-rating practices, such as Facebook’s Free Basics, and Bharti Airtel’s attempts to impose higher tariffs. Despite progress, challenges like network usage fees and the lack of a multi-stakeholder regulatory body persist. Balancing industry demands and user rights will shape its future.