Net neutrality a policy issue; TRAI needs to take stand: CCI

Amid long-running debate on net neutrality, fair trade watchdog Competition Commission (CCI) chairman Ashok Chawla on Wednesday said it is a policy issue and sectoral regulator TRAI has to first take a stand in this regard

New Delhi: Amid long-running debate on net neutrality, fair trade watchdog Competition Commission (CCI) chairman Ashok Chawla on Wednesday said it is a policy issue and sectoral regulator TRAI has to first take a stand in this regard.

He said it will look into the matter when it will come to Competition Commission of India (CCI).

"It has not come to us. We will see when it comes. This is a policy issue. The regulator (TRAI) has to decide first. Based on whatever happens in terms of behaviour as in conformity and not in conformity of policy we will see and in any case if they are going to interact with us they are welcome," CCI chairman Ashok Chawla told reporters here.

The development comes at a time when some telecom operators have entered into tie-ups for offering free access to certain mobile apps and websites. Such activities have raised concerns on net neutrality. The last refers to equal treatment for all Internet traffic.

Last month, Bharti Airtel launched Airtel Zero, an open marketing platform that allowed customers to access many mobile applications for free, with the data charges being paid by start-ups and large companies.

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