New Delhi. (DHNS): Amid the raging debate over Net Neutrality, mobile operators on Friday sought a “level playing field” with Internet-based over-the-top (OTT) services such as Skype and WhatsApp.

The mobile operators feel that in the absence of a level playing field, they would be forced to hike data rates to keep their business “viable”. While extending their support for Net Neutrality, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said that there should be an equal environment for all including mobile and internet protocol voice services to promote innovation and to enable internet for all.

At present certain regulations like sharing revenue with the government and intercept communication for preventing any terrorist act are applicable only for telecom service providers and these rules are not applicable on Internet-based messaging and calling applications. “If the same rules are not to apply, then the only way this industry can be viable is data rate will be 6 times higher from where they are there today. After that, you can do what you want. But if you take data rate to five or six times higher, a lot of people in India will never be able to access the Internet,” COAI Vice-Chairman and Bharti Airtel India Managing Director Gopal Vittal told reporters here.

The COAI used the slogan 'Sabka Internet, Sabka Vikas' — similar to that used by ruling BJP at the time of general elections to put its message across.

However, the telecom companies also said that they will abide by the government decision on any rules it makes on Net Neutrality. Claiming that the telecom sector cumulative debt has cross Rs 3 lakh crore, Idea Cellular Managing Director Himanshu Kapania pointed out that although the industry has made an investment of about Rs 7.5 lakh crore in the last 20 years, the return has been measly, at only 1 per cent.

Net Neutrality is the concept that all websites on the Internet are treated equally. The issue came to fore after Bharti Airtel announced a platform through which mobile app makers pay for data usage to allow customers to use their apps for free.

In a separate announcement, internet service providers have suggested that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India should adopt “same services same rule” to define Net Neutrality while agreeing that there should be no discrimination in accessing the Internet in terms of pricing or speed.

Even Neutral Internet Exchange of India, a body under the IT Ministry, also said it strongly supports Net Neutrality and any move by telecom operators to selectively bundle the services will go against the basic concept of Internet.

Photo credit: DHNS