CPI-M lauds TRAI on discriminatory tariff

The CPI-M on Tuesday welcomed the TRAI's decision to disallow service providers from offering or charging discriminatory tariff for data services on the basis of content.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist said it "has always held that net neutrality is a fundamental pillar of the internet".

"The consultation process was conducted amid an unprecedented publicity drive by Facebook and certain other companies to sway public opinion but they failed to do so," it said in a statement.

"The decision of TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) in this case and its efforts of conducting consultations is to be commended.

"The CPI-M also wishes to use this opportunity to impress on the government the need for improving access to the internet to all sections of the society so that they can benefit from the immense potential of the medium."