The online retailer faced a lot of flak from customers after the news that it is in talks with Airtel to join Airtel Zero -- a platform that is widely believed to be violating the principles of free internet.
India's largest online retailer, Flipkart has decided to bury its negotiations with telecom operator Airtel to join the latter's "Zero" platform. Flipkart has also committed itself fully to the cause of net neutrality in India.
Flipkart, in a statement, said, "We will be committing ourselves to the larger cause of Net Neutrality in India. We will be internally discussing over the next few days, the details of actions we will take to support the cause."
The online retailer faced a lot of flak from customers after the news that it is in talks with Airtel to join Airtel Zero -- a platform that is widely believed to be violating the principles of free internet.
Sachin Bansal, CEO, Flipkart, in an interview last week defended the negotiations with the telecom company and said that the platform will be beneficial to startups and entrepreneurs as against the popular belief at the moment.
Bansal even took to Twitter and said that zero rated apps aren't against the concept of net neutrality but actually helps in reducing data costs for users.
However, now Flipkart has back-flipped on its stance. The company said, "We will be working towards ensuring that the spirit of net neutrality is upheld and applied equally to all companies in India irrespective of the size or the service being offered and there is absolutely no discrimination whatsoever."
"We think that equal access to Internet and equal treatment of all services on the Internet is important for healthy growth of Internet and Internet-based services in the country," Bansal said.
"Flipkart has always taken a consumer first stance whenever we evaluate a choice or make a decision. We had played our role in growth of Internet adoption in the country and will continue to do so over a long period of time, so we are not going to participate in any zero rating programme," he added.
The Flipkart spokesperson said there has been a great amount of debate, both internally and externally, on the topic of zero rating over the last few days and "we have a deeper understanding of the implications".
"We will be committing ourselves to the larger cause of net neutrality in India. We will be internally discussing over the next few days, the details of actions we will take to support the cause," the spokesperson added.
Queries sent to Airtel remained unanswered.
Telecom regulator TRAI is already looking into the issue, while Airtel has justified its move saying the initiative would be a 'win-win' for customers and marketers alike.
TRAI has put the issue for public feedback with the last date for submitting comments being April 24 and counter comments May 8, while the watchdog is being bombarded with mails backing net neutrality.
Besides, Telecom Ministry has also set up a expert panel to look into the issue.
"Non discriminatory net availability is what we need to strive for... The committee should submit its report within a month to help the government make an informed decision," Telecom and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said.
Besides, anti-trust watchdog CCI might also launch a probe into schemes launched by some telecom operators, including Airtel, Reliance Communications and Uninor, that claim to provide 'free' access to certain Internet applications.
Reflecting the large interest generated among people by the debate, the hashtag 'savetheinternet' has been trending on micro blogging site Twitter over the last few day.
Over one lakh netizens have already written to telecom regulator TRAI in support of net neutrality in the country.
Social networks like Twitter and Facebook have been buzzing with people campaigning that policy makers should not allow telecom companies to charge extra fees for Internet services or provide preferential access to certain apps.
The campaign has also drawn support from different sections, including politicians and actors.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: "AAP committed to neutral Internet. India must debate #NetNeutrality. I support #Saveinternet campaign."
After a video by comedy group AIB (explaining why net neutrality is essential for India) went viral on social networks, actors like Shah Rukh Khan and Kunal Khemu, music composer Vishal Dadlani and Congress leader
Digvijay Singh have also extended their support through tweets.
The nine-minute video urges people to sign up against allowing telecom operators/Internet service providers to choose the type, quantity or pricing of content for consumers.
Leading the voices of Bollywood, actor-director Farhan Akhtar has called for a campaign to 'save the Internet'.
(with agencies)
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