Net neutrality: Simplest explanation

EDITED BY ADITYA KUMAR SAROJ

ORIGINAL BY Nikhil Pahwa & Vikas SN

Here's how we can describe net neutrality. 

Telecom operators/ISPs are access services providers, and can control either how much you access, what you access, how fast you access and how much you pay to access content and services on the Internet.

It’s important for access to knowledge, services and free speech, as well as freedom and ease of doing business online, for this access to be neutral:

– All sites must be equally accessible- The same access speed at the telco/ISP level for each (independent of telco selection)
– The same data cost for access to each site (per KB/MB).

This means, Net Neutrality is about:
– No telecom-style licensing of Internet companies (see this and this)
– No gateways (Internet.org, Airtel OneTouch Internet, Data VAS), censorshipor selection;
– No speeding up of specific websites (that may or may not pay telcos)
– No “zero rating” or making some sites free over others (and that goes for you too, Wikipedia and twitter).

Recently, Barack Obama himself stood up for net neutrality. Now, it's India's turn to stand up for net neutrality and protest against programs like Airtel Zero. Use the #NetNeutrality, like many others, to make the internet equal for all.