Update: We reached out to Facebook for a comment and the company said, "Our goal with Free Basics is to bring more people online with an open, non-exclusive and free platform. While disappointed with the outcome, we will continue our efforts to eliminate barriers and give the unconnected an easier path to the internet and the opportunities it brings.” Earlier today: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has ruled (pdf) that no company can enter into any arrangement based on discriminatory pricing. It has further stated that telcos can offer their own content and generic emergency services at lower prices. It also states that if these norms are violated, companies will have to pay a penalty of Rs 50,000 to Rs 50 lakh. The TRAI had issued a second consultation paper in September last year (the first paper here) asking for comments specifically on differential pricing. Today, the outcome of this paper states that, “Based on the responses received and the internal deliberations, the Authority has issued these Regulations. While formulating the Regulations, the Authority has largely been guided by the principles of Net Neutrality seeking to ensure that consumers get unhindered and non-discriminatory access to the internet. These Regulations intend to make data tariffs for access to the internet to be content agnostic.” It mandates: 1. No service provider shall offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content 2. No service provider shall enter into any arrangement, agreement or contract, by whatever name called, with any person,…
