Net neutrality wins as Flipkart does U-turn

Switching sides to support Net neutrality, e-commerce major Flipkart decided on Tuesday not to join Airtel Zero, which offers subscribers free browsing of websites of companies that join the platform for a fee.The proposed tie-up was in the eye of a storm as it raised questions on the need to maintain equal Internet access to all.Net neutrality provides for equal treatment of all traffic; any priority given to an application or company for payments made amounts to a violation of the concept.“We will be walking away from the discussions with Airtel for Airtel Zero,” Flipkart said. “We had not signed up for a deal. We were in the midst of discussions, and ... have pulled out of that. We, at Flipkart, have always strongly believed in the concept of Net neutrality. For, we exist because of the Internet.”

Airtel Zero was launched last week, but outraged users termed it a violation of Net neutrality.Many consumers boycotted the popular e-tailer and even down-rated its mobile app to “1 star”.Airtel said, “The statement by Flipkart regarding their decision not to offer toll-free data service to customers is consistent with our stand that Airtel Zero is not a tariff proposition. It is merely an open platform for content providers to provide toll-free data services.”