The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the industry body representing GSM operators has launched a new initiative called, ?Sabka Internet, Sabka Vikas.? The initiative is aimed at connecting the 1 billion unconnected citizens of India.
As part of the initiative, COAI has launched the online platform sabkainternet.in, reiterating that the internet should be for all without any limitation or restrictions. The industry body has invited comments from all the industry stakeholders on the subject of net neutrality with an aim to develop a framework that caters to the infrastructure and diverse socio-economic needs of the country.
Responding to the on-going public debate over net neutrality, and concerns regarding operators allegedly controlling consumers? access to the internet, COAI has stated that it supports an open internet and believes that the consumers should decide for themselves what and how they wish to utilise internet. The industry body added that its role was that of an enabler, paving the way for consumers to leverage internet for their benefit. COAI emphasised that it stood for free choice and did not support blocking or provide preferential access to any particular web site or application.
The leadership team of the member companies of COAI also reiterated their support to the concept of net neutrality. A few of the leading industry heads who pledged support to COAI?s ?Sabka Internet, Sabka Vikas? programme included Ashok Sharma of Aircel, Gopal Vittal (Bharti Airtel), Himanshu Kapania (Idea Cellular), Rajiv Bawa (Telenor), Arvind Bali (Videocon Telecom), and Sunil Sood (Vodafone India).
In addition to supporting net neutrality, COAI also underlined its commitment to the Digital India programme, calling for an open, inclusive and affordable access to the internet for every Indian. The GSM industry body emphasised that telecom industry has played an important role in empowered over 950 million citizens by providing them affordable services and now it was the time for the industry to promote internet to ensure it transforms citizens life.
According to COAI, in terms of internet penetration, India is ranked 142, way below some of its neighbouring countries like Bhutan and Sri Lanka. However, going forward, internet users in the country are expected to reach over 500 million by 2018 ? making India the second largest country with internet users. To support such exponential growth in the number of internet users, innovations would be required across the ecosystem ? affordable smartphones, more efficient networks, a vibrant over-the-top ecosystem, applications (particularly in areas such as education, health, governance) and pricing flexibility. Together, these innovations would help promote greater digital inclusion and help the government achieve the Digital India dream.
