ACT Broadband said that caching content on hard disks for faster delivery of data to the end user should be treated as 'network optimization' and exempted from the purview of net neutrality, in its submission to TRAI's public consultation. It added that such arrangements do not "slow down (speed of) other application or application providers, rather improve their experience, representing very distinct issue from paid prioritization.” TRAI is currently holding a public consultation on whether ISPs and telcos should be allowed to block, throttle speeds, and manage traffic flow of certain websites and apps. According to ACT, caching content locally reduces total distance taken for data to travel, improves network quality and reduces tariff prices for end users. The Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI), a lobbying body consisting of ISPs in India, as well as independent ISP Spectranet also submitted similar answers to TRAI. These ISPs are suggesting that content providers like Netflix, Hotstar, etc. should be allowed to store caches of their content on their network, and stream it to users locally, instead of streaming it from Netflix's servers abroad. Note that Netflix already has such tie-ups with ISPs including YOU Broadband, Hathway, and ACT Although TRAI had banned discriminatory pricing of websites, the concept of fast lanes or offering websites at a higher speed than advertised wasn’t a central point of discussion in TRAI consultation papers until now. Some ISPs have flouted net neutrality by placing websites on a fast lane using peering techniques and is a cause of concern…
