Technology industry body Nasscom said in a statement that the multi-stakeholder approach involving content providers, service providers, access providers, research, and academia to collaboratively monitor violations and make recommendations to the authority on regulations and standards is a welcome move that will facilitate fair, alert and effective implementation.“Today’s recommendations will promote equitable access to the internet for every citizen,” it said. “It would ensure a level-playing field for IT and OTT services providers to innovate and customise in India and provide a constantly expanding range of new services relevant to every individual.”Nasscom said the recommendations should be implemented in a speedy manner to help deliver on India’s pledge to the global agenda to ensure every citizen’s right to unfettered access to the internet.Ramanjit Singh, policy director of think tank AccessNow, said most of the recommendations are in line with the expectations and are positive. “But it is a bit disappointing that Trai has not issued interim regulations,” he said. “Also, there is more clarity required on the traffic management practices and the structure of the enforcement body.”Sudhir Singh, policy expert at software product think tank iSPIRT, said it remains to be seen how the enforcement will happen through the multi-stakeholder body. “Internet in India, unlike possibly in the US or China , is going to be ‘free and open’ upholding the democratic principles of our country,” it said.

Source: Economic Times November 29, 2017 02:48 UTC