Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Bharti Airtel drops move to charge more for VoIP calls

December 29, 2014 14:01 IST

VoIP services include communications applications such as Skype, Line and Viber

Bharti Airtel Ltd dropped a plan on Monday to charge clients extra for Internet communication services such as Skype, amid a debate on allowing equal access to web content and a backlash from subscribers.

India's largest telecommunications carrier by subscribers said last week that Internet or data plans that give customers discounted rates will be valid for Internet browsing but will exclude Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.

VoIP services include communications applications such as Skype, Line and Viber that typically let users make free calls through the Internet.

The proposal sparked widespread complaints from Indians on social media and the creation of a website to fight against the plan.

On Monday though, Airtel said the company had decided not to implement the policy in the face of "news reports that a consultation paper will be issued shortly by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on issues relating to services offered by OTT players including VOIP."

The head of TRAI, Rahul Khullar, told local media last week that while Airtel's decision to charge more for these services was not in accordance with net neutrality, it was not illegal.

Net neutrality is the principle that all Internet service providers should allow access to all content without favouring any particular product or websites.

Nivedita Bhattacharjee in Mumbai
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.