NET NEUTRALITY, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE

Seminar on Net Neutrality, Social and Economic Perspective was organized by IMS, Noida on the occasion of CSI Golden Jubilee on 5th May 2015. Ms. Bhanu Bhardwaj, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science & Engineering was delegated to attend the seminar along with four students Bhawna Madan, Neha Chawal, Megha, Suraj Yadav (CSE and IT branch) from Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida.

The Seminar was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Shri Arvind Gupta in the presence of Shri Deepak Kumar Sahoo, Telecom Industry Expert, Varindia.com, Shri Rajesh Kalra, Renowned Journalist, Times of India Group, Shri Nikhil Pahwa, Renowned Journalist & Telecom Expert, Medianama.com, Shri Bikky Khosla, CEO, Tradeindia.com, and Shri Rajan Mathews, Director General, Cellular Operators Association of India.

Shri Arvind Gupta the key note speaker, discussed about Net Neutrality which is an Internet guideline principle. It preserves our right to communicate freely online. Net Neutrality is crucial for small business owners, startups and entrepreneurs, who rely on the open Internet to launch their businesses, create a market, advertise their products and services, and distribute products to customers. He also described the difference between ‘freedom’ on the Internet and ‘Free Internet’. He also mentioned that Internet Laws, Internet Service policy. He said that Net Neutrality is about four things which are put together as Speed, Cost, Access, and Content. Net Neutrality is required to help digital democracies as well ensuring the health and education like Public Welfare Program.

Shri Anuj Agarwal, Chairman, Computer Society of India, Noida Chapter, mentioned that Internet is the only non-discriminated medium all over the world where nobody is discriminated on national, social, economic and gender grounds.

Shri Rajan Methew, Director General of Cellular Operators Association of India and renowned telecom expert, assured that all telecom companies will support Net Neutrality. He mentioned that telecom routes are very complex highways having bulk traffic which need immediate resolution for effective neutrality.

Mr. Gopal Agarwal, mentioned in his address the entire debate from the consumer perspective. He said that the consumer wants reliable services at an affordable price. He talked about the social and economic impact of Net Neutrality.

Shri Deepak Shah, Chief Editor, VarIndia.com supported Net Neutrality and put forward the social perspectives on the need to have Net Neutrality. He was categorical in his thought and said that Net Neutrality cannot be overshadowed.

The seminar came to an end with an interactive and open discussion session followed by distinguished speakers. Shri Kamaljit Singh, Director IMS Noida, delivered a Vote of Thanks. He also appreciated respective speakers, resource persons and participants whose integrated efforts made the seminar session constructive.