Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL), which operates in India under MTS, is looking to pivot its focus from being primarily a dongle driven data company to a WiFi solutions provider with its launch of its Homespot Instant WiFi solution. The solution comes with MTS' MBlaze Ultra dongle which works with a plug and play mechanism and can provide high speed broadband access to five users simultaneously including smartphone users. Prepaid users need to pay Rs. 1299 to get the device with 10 GB bundled data usage while postpaid users need to pay Rs. 999. MTS says that the service can provide speeds up to 9.8 mbps and runs on the CDMA, EVDO revision, phase 2 network. Here's the tariff plans MTS offers for customers: Net Neutrality violation? Note one of MTS' prepaid tariff plans offers Viber and WhatsApp free as part of its service. By giving free access to these services and keeping others paid, MTS essentially ensures that other services' use will be stunted. If Viber is free, what will happen to users who wish to use Skype for calling instead? The Indian consumer is cost-conscious, and they’re likely to lean towards what is cheaper and MTS is betting its business on violating net neutrality. We stress again on the three net neutrality principles. Rule 1: All sites must be equally accessible: ISPs and telecom operators shouldn’t block certain sites or apps just because they don’t pay them. No gateways should be created, in order to give preferential discovery to one site over…
