Editing Telecommunications in India (section)

===Net neutrality===
{{Main|Net neutrality in India}}

In March 2015, the TRAI released a formal consultation paper on ''Regulatory Framework for Over-the-top (OTT)'' services, seeking comments from the public. The consultation paper was criticised for being one sided and having confusing statements. It was condemned by various politicians and internet users.<ref name=Politicos>{{cite news|last1=Singh|first1=Saurabh|title=Politicos slam TRAI's stance on net neutrality|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/politicos-raise-concern-over-trais-threatening-consultation-on-net-neutrality/1/429135.html|access-date=12 April 2015|work=[[India Today]]|date=8 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412222226/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/politicos-raise-concern-over-trais-threatening-consultation-on-net-neutrality/1/429135.html|archive-date=12 April 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Gandhi|first1=Rajat|title=Net neutrality: Why Internet is in danger is of being shackled|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-04-08/news/60943272_1_net-neutrality-telecom-operators-viber|access-date=12 April 2015|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=8 April 2015|archive-date=10 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110023114/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-04-08/news/60943272_1_net-neutrality-telecom-operators-viber|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=TRAIemails>{{cite news|title=Indians rally for Internet freedom, send over 1 lakh emails to TRAI for net neutrality|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/indians-rally-for-internet-freedom-send-over-1-lakh-emails-to-trai-for-net-neutrality/539553-11.html|access-date=13 April 2015|work=[[IBNLive]]|date=13 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415193045/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/indians-rally-for-internet-freedom-send-over-1-lakh-emails-to-trai-for-net-neutrality/539553-11.html|archive-date=15 April 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> By 18 April 2015, over 800,000 emails had been sent to TRAI demanding net neutrality.<ref name=TRAIemails/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Roy|first1=Prasanto|title=India's fight for net neutrality|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-32313704|publisher=BBC|access-date=18 April 2015|location=India|date=18 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420153507/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-32313704|archive-date=20 April 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Over 3 lakh emails sent to Trai in support of Net Neutrality, so far|url=http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/over-3-lakh-emails-sent-to-trai-in-support-of-net-neutrality-so-far-263021.html|publisher=FirstPort|access-date=14 April 2015|date=14 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414210848/http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/over-3-lakh-emails-sent-to-trai-in-support-of-net-neutrality-so-far-263021.html|archive-date=14 April 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The [[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India|TRAI]] on 8 February 2016, notified the Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016 which barred telecom service providers from charging differential rates for data services.<ref>{{Cite news|url =http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/telecom-regulator-bans-differential-pricing-for-data-supports-net-neutrality-1275030|title =India Chooses Net Neutrality, Facebook's Free Basics Is Nixed|date =8 February 2016|access-date =9 February 2016|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160208221830/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/telecom-regulator-bans-differential-pricing-for-data-supports-net-neutrality-1275030|archive-date =8 February 2016|url-status =live|df =dmy-all}}</ref>

The 2016 Regulation,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Regulation_Data_Service.pdf |title={title} |access-date=7 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621203239/http://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Regulation_Data_Service.pdf |archive-date=21 June 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> stipulates that:

# No service provider can offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content.
# No service provider shall enter into any arrangement, agreement or contract, by whatever name called, with any person, natural or legal, that the effect of discriminatory tariffs for data services being offered or charged by the service provider for the purpose of evading the prohibition in this regulation.
# Reduced tariff for accessing or providing emergency services, or at times of public emergency has been permitted.
# Financial disincentives for contravention of the regulation have also been specified.
# TRAI may review these regulations after a period of two years.