Context: Recently, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has recommended the creation of a multi-stakeholder body (MSB) to ensure that Internet access providers adhere to the provisions of net neutrality.
About Multi-Stakeholder Body

• To be established by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
• The Multi-Stakeholder Body (MSB) could include telecom service providers,Internet service providers, content providers, researchers, academic and technical community, civil society organisations, and the government.
• It should be set up as a non-profit entity.
• MSB will help DoT in the maintenance of a repository of reasonable traffic management practices.
• MSB is required to investigate complaints regarding the violation of net neutrality.
• The net neutrality principles adopted by DoT were technology-neutral and would apply equally to 5G technology.

Concept of Net Neutrality

• It has been defined as a principle that Internet Service Providers (ISP) also called Internet Access Providers (IAP) should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favouring or blocking particular products or websites.
• This means when the customers pay an ISP for a data plan, they should be able to access all content online (news, social media, videos, games, etc.) at the same broadband speed which they had opted for.

Arguments in Favour

• It democratises the internet space as the telecom provider cannot charge differently for different websites and allows everyone on the internet to participate in it.
• It does not let ISPs to act as “gatekeepers” and control, filter or block data according to their will without a court order.
• It provides a level playing field to all the big and small companies in the Information Technology (IT) sector and does not let a handful of companies control the internet.
• It ensures that all people and websites have equal access to each other, regardless of their ability to pay hence fosters the principle of freedom of speech.

Arguments Against

• It will stifle innovation on the internet as it will not be possible to explore consumer choices and create content accordingly.
• ISPs will not be able to make an investment in Broadband services.
• It will kill competition as every data packet will be treated the same and content providers will not get a chance to advance their data at a better rate by paying the telecom providers.

About the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

• The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a statutory body set up by the Government of India under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
• The TRAI (Amendment) Act, 2000 had led to the reconstitution of the Authority. It consists of one Chairperson, two full-time members and two part-time members. Also led to the  establishment of Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to take over the adjudicatory and disputes functions from TRAI.

Goals and Objectives of TRAI

• Increasing tele-density and access to telecommunication services in the country at affordable prices.
• Making available telecommunication services which in terms of range, price and quality are comparable to the best in the world.
• Providing a fair and transparent policy environment which promotes a level playing field and facilitates fair competition.
• Establishing an interconnection regime that allows fair, transparent, prompt and equitable interconnection.
• Re-balancing tariffs so that the objectives of affordability and operator viability are met in a consistent manner.
• Protecting the interest of consumers and addressing general consumer concerns relating to availability, pricing and quality of service and other matters.
• Monitoring the quality of service provided by the various operators.
• Providing a mechanism for funding of net cost areas/ public telephones so that Universal Service Obligations are discharged by telecom operators for the spread of telecom facilities in remote and rural areas.
• Preparing the grounds for a smooth transition to an era of convergence of services and technologies.
• Promoting the growth of coverage of radio in India through commercial and non-commercial channels.
• Increasing consumer choice in reception of TV channels and choosing the operator who would provide television and other related services.