CDN provider Akamai has requested telecom regulator TRAI to exclude CDNs from Net Neutrality regulations. CDNs essentially optimise delivery of content through arrangements with ISPs -- in other words, they are 'middle mile' networks. Most Internet companies use CDNs to distribute their content. While most companies contract a third party CDN like Akamai or Cloudflare, some, like Google and Netflix, build their own. "CDNs are not an Internet service" In its filing, Akamai has asked TRAI to exclude middle mile services like CDNs from Net Neutrality regulations. It argues that other regulators in the US, Europe, Brazil, and Japan have done the same. The filing recommended that Net Neutrality should only apply to Internet providers that serve individual consumers. "[A]ny net neutrality principles or rules adopted in India should apply only to Internet access service, which should refer to a publicly available electronic communications service provided by a telecommunications service provider (TSP) in India that is offered to end users on a retail basis," the filing argued. "Let Internet providers pick and choose CDNs" Akamai said that ISPs should be able to pick and choose which CDNs they partner with, and on what terms. In other words, Internet providers should be allowed to connect with some CDNs while refusing to connect with others. This, Akamai argues, is because "[i]f ISPs were unable to differentiate among CDNs in this way, it could potentially mean that ISPs would not allow any CDNs network access because they would be unable to find the physical space to accommodate all…
