Telecom regulator Trai now proposed investigating models to give consumers free Internet service months after barring platforms like Facebook’s Free Principles and Airtel Zero under its differential pricing rule, within the Net neutrality framework.

The procedure opens up range for platforms or those programs that promise to supply free data with no goal of ‘gate-keeping’ consumers on content access.

“We are somewhat surprised this is the consultation paper which has been released because it just concerns means of making data accessible at no cost.

Nevertheless, it might help bring clarity to issues related to offering information free of charge, he added.
The systems were barred by the regulator in February this year like Facebook’s Free Principles which offered content free of charge and Airtel Zero.

Nevertheless, there are platforms on getting content that credit back information or cash spent.

In the second version of supplying free data to all consumers, irrespective of the telecom network, “there’s a demand to empower smaller entrepreneurs to thrive without allowing gate-keeping function in the control of TSPs as well as to give consumers more options for getting the Internet”.

It’s sought public views on if there’s a demand to have TSP-agnostic program to supply users with free data or appropriate compensation, without breaking the principles of its differential pricing for information rules.

Trai is also analyzing whether marketplace be enabled to develop these platforms or programs like Gigato, mCent, Ladoo, Taskbucks should be controlled.