Social media company Facebook said that DoT should apply Net neutrality rules even on voice telephony services offered by internet-based players.

This follows a report by a committee set up by the Department of Telecom stating that while Net neutrality principles should be upheld for all Over-The-Top (OTT) apps, voice-based applications should be brought under similar regulatory conditions as applicable to a traditional telecom company.

Reacting to the DoT panel report, Kevin Martin, Vice-President, Mobile and Global Access Policy, Facebook, said: “The Committee recognised that regulatory requirements should not be placed on certain OTT application services, explicitly concluding that “there is no case for prescribing regulatory oversight similar to conventional communication services”. That same rational should apply to all VoIP services.”

Facebook has also defended its stand on Internet.org. It said that Internet.org is designed to promote an internet access model in India that is open and non-exclusive.

“The preservation of the core principles of Net neutrality and the promotion of innovation and infrastructure within the context of India's internet access challenges are critical to bringing more people online. As recognised in today's report, we introduced the Internet.org platform to promote an internet access model that is open and non-exclusive. Internet.org acts as a gateway, as opposed to a gatekeeper, to Internet access by breaking down the cost, infrastructure and social barriers that exist today.

“We welcome the DoT's engagement and consultation process and are committed to working with all stakeholders to overcome the infrastructure, affordability and social barriers that exist today and to bring more people in India online.” Martin said.

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