Net neutrality: CCI to wait for TRAI views

Our Bureau Updated - January 24, 2018 at 05:39 AM.

Will ‘keep an eye on competition aspects’

MS Sahoo

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) will look into the issue of net neutrality only after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) firms up its opinion on the matter.

The Competition Commission of India looks after anti-competitive practices of companies and various agencies.

According to MS Sahoo, Member, CCI, the country’s fair trade watchdog will await for TRAI (the telecom sector regulator) to take its stand first, before it can start deliberating on the matter.

Keeping watch
“Net neutrality”, which has been in the limelight, refers to equal treatment for all Internet traffic and implies that no priority be given to an entity or company.

“The sector regulator (TRAI) is yet to firm up its stance on the matter. But we are keeping a watch on it and will act if it is anti-competitive,” Sahoo told reporters on the sidelines of a programme organised by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India.

Following the recent debate over the issue of net neutrality, TRAI has started the consultation process on the matter.

E-commerce monitoring To specific queries whether the big e-commerce companies like Flipkart and others were abusing their dominant position, Sahoo maintained that anti-competitive practices were yet to be found against them.

According to him, it will be considered fair, as long as e-tailers do not sell their commodities below the cost price.

It had recently let off five e-commerce biggies, including Flipkart and Snapdeal, after it did not find any wrong-doing on their part.

“There should not be any predatory pricing,” he said. Meanwhile, the CCI has already begun a probe against app-based cab booking service, Ola Cabs, for alleged predatory pricing.

Published on July 20, 2015 15:39