WhatsApp Calling | NO longer free

WhatsApp, Viber and Skype Internet Calls may No Longer be FREE in India

We all are aware of Net Neutrality and the recent controversies over it in India. Net Neutrality is simply the Internet Freedom — Free, Fast and Open Internet for all. 

India has been battling for Net Neutrality since zero-rating services such as Facebook’s Internet.org and Airtel Zero were announced.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has now released a much-awaited report [PDF] on the Net Neutrality issue, recommending the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to regulate the voice calls conducted by the Internet users of over-the-top (OTT) services.

Over 100 pages-long report details the DoT's understanding of Net Neutrality Principles, which has been criticized by consumer groups because it could End Free domestic voice calls offered by apps like WhatsApp and Skype.

The report recommends TRAI to consider the demands of telecom service providers to regulate domestic VoIP calling services, while taking a liberal approach to international VoIP services.

This indicates that if you call your someone living abroad using Skype, Viber, WhatsApp or any other VoIP service, then you are not charged if you have a running Internet pack.

However, if you want to make VoIP call using WhatsApp, Viber or Skype within India, the telecom providers would charge you.

Zero-rating services like Facebook’s Internet.org and Aitel Zero are a Big No


Criticizing Facebook’s Internet.org, the report says "the content and application providers cannot be permitted to act as gatekeepers" and go against the Net Neutrality principles.

In response to the report, Kevin Martin, Facebook's vice president for mobile and global access policy said:
Zero-rating is the practice of service providers not charging end users for data used by specific apps or websites through the network, in limited or given data plans.

DoT has rejected the demand for regulation of over-the-top (OTT) Free messaging services, including WhatsApp, Viber and Hike. So, you can enjoy chatting with your friends and relatives over WhatsApp, Viber and Hike for Free.

#departmentoftelecommunications#whatsappcalling#nolongerfree
#netneutrality

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