Apr 19, 2015

#NetNeutrality: A necessary devil

Saurabh Chawla | |

We all are well aware about one of the most trending topics of the year 2015. The Net Neutrality. Basically, what it means is that we can browse all websites with equal rights. The best thing for us, we would not be paying even a penny extra for that. But, if it is opposed to that, then we might have to pay extra for using Skype, Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, Viber and so on and so forth! Also, there would be much more needed competition among the companies as well.  Let's check out some factors which I consider hold true:

1) Habits are the roots:

If we look closely, people who want to use the apps/websites, will have to pay for the respective services and as habit is there, they will pay. For others, they would boycott the packages leaving both the companies viz. the telecom operator as well as the site/mobile app which they want to use. Now there are two possible solutions to this problem. Either You have to change your habit of not using the website/mobile app or there would be some new and fresh apps that would be developed which would be outside the new neutrality chakravyuh.The choice is yours.

2) A big problem for the websites/mobile apps:

As we all know that these big brands have lots of user base and are extensively used on day to day basis. There would be new plans for using different services. The thing is that you will not pay for all but only for one or two services. This will result in 2 things. Firstly, you would sacrifice your interest and reach on the internet. This is particularly true for BLOGGERS/WRITERS and other internet based start-ups. They would not be able to empty their pockets in the very beginning stage of their life-cycle.

Secondly, it would create a divide and rule policy, introducing a cut-throat competition among the telecom operators as well as the owners of respective websites/mobile apps. It would also have an impact on the user base which they are now enjoying.

3) Monopoly in a large market place:

Believe it or not, we are living in a digital era where internet has become a market place. With no Net Neutrality, it will become monopolistic. Each ecommerce giant would be running a race to rule the large network. It will definitely create a tough situation for both the users and the companies.

I would now talk with personal perspective. Imagine you are in a family. Your father differentiates, in fact compares you with your sibling who always outperforms you in almost every field. What would be your reaction then? Say, in a family function, you are present but being ignored all the time. A point will come in your life when you would not give a damn to even a dying person.

Being a writer/author myself, I have a presence across all the social platforms. I try to give equal attention to all the followers across all the platforms with no separate preference to any one portal. Net Neutrality would force me to either pay extra for all the portals or shut down few of them completely and reduce my reach. Now, this would definitely be a drawback for me. A creative person's hunger is not food but recognition for his work. Take an example of an author with book lying at an unused corner in the house. A painter who never had a chance to be at any exhibition. No #NetNeutrality would be the same situation for you. It would be like suppressing your desires.

Click to Tweet.: When you suppress your desires, either a part of you dies inside you, or you go mad.
It would impact me a lot if Net Neutrality is neglected. There are several campaigns which have been initiated to support the issue. Some of the campaigns are listed below:

4) The AIB campaign for Net Neutrality. You can watch the video below.

If you want to reach out globally, Internet is the best place which can help you out with it. Yes, I am a little worried but keep my fingers crossed.


  1. excellent article...and hope that things work out in the end

  2. Yes Sonia. Thanks for reading :) Hope all goes well!

  3. nice one Saurabh... very well written! :-)

  4. Congratulations. We All should vote to uphold net neutrality.
    Monopoly on internet is a monstrous threat that will affect everybody slowly and passively.

  5. I too once supported net neutrality, but not anymore after reading these two articles...


    1. Thanks Balaji. Will be reading them and sharing my views on the same too!

  6. Well presented Saurabh. Lets hope we win this battle :)

    1. Thanks a lot for reading Jtotsna :) Yes hope for the best :)


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