On June 29, 2020 IFF has shared a supplementary submission with TRAI on net neutrality monitoring and enforcement. The purpose behind this is to emphasise the importance of focusing on strong implementation and enforcement; and the centrality of public/user participation.
IFF has written to the DoT and TRAI suggesting that government interventions must look toward overcoming the digital divide, appreciating the importance of the internet and mobile services as an essential utility, and protect net neutrality.
With many workplaces putting into place work from home plans, voice and data connectivity become critical. To ensure that high quality bandwidth is available to all parts of India we have suggested specific steps to be taken by the Department of Telecom.
IFF received multiple complaints of irregular website blocking by ISPs in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The ISPs, namely ACT and BSNL, said they received directions from the DoT. Since this appears to be a network neutrality violation, IFF has written to the DoT and TRAI to look into it.
IFF submits its counter comments to TRAI’s consultation on traffic management practices and a multistakeholder body for net neutrality.