Deadline for inputs on data pricing pushed

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The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Wednesday extended by a week the deadline for comments on different pricing of data services. Based on the suggestions, Trai will decide on the legality of the zero-rating plans and Facebook's Free Basics platform. Earlier, the deadline was Wednesday (December 30).

Under the zero-rating plans offered by telecom firms and Facebook's Free Basics platform, mobile users can access certain websites for free without paying any data charges.

Many experts say this is against the principle of net neutrality, under which all internet-based services have to be treated equally, with no discrimination in terms of speed and cost of access.

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) - members include Facebook, Google, and other Internet companies - had said telecom service providers should not be allowed different pricing for data usage for different websites, applications, or platforms.

Trai has received 1.6 million comments on different pricing of data services. The deadline for counter-comments is now January 14, it was January 7 earlier. Around 800,000 comments were sent through Facebook or the Free Basics platform.

Earlier this year, Trai had issued a paper on regulation of over-the-top (OTT) players. The paper sparked sharp reactions from the sector. The regulator is yet to come out with recommendations on the issue.

Earlier this month, Trai had asked Reliance Communications (RCom) to stop the commercial launch of Free Basics, till its approval.

Facebook has partnered 10-12 firms across 19 countries to provide this platform. The debate around net neutrality grew louder over the last few days over which Facebook asked its users to petition Trai in support of Free Basics.

According to an advertisement by Facebook, in the past few days, 3.2 million people have petitioned Trai in support of Free Basics.

"We do not charge anyone anything for Free Basics….There are no ads in the version of Facebook on Free Basics. Facebook produces no revenue. We are doing this to connect India," the advertisement claimed.

Free Basics has got support from Telecom Watchdog, a non-governmental organisation, which said Trai should not stop any service which is offered free of cost to consumers.