Bharti Airtel has strongly defended its 'Priority Postpaid' service before a Department of Telecommunications (DoT) panel, categorically denying any violations of net neutrality principles. The company argued that preventing the use of mainstream 5G features to offer differentiated services would jeopardize the potential development of 6G technology in India.
Airtel's Stand on Net Neutrality
In its submission to the DoT panel, Airtel clarified that the 'Priority Postpaid' plan does not throttle, block, or discriminate against any content or application. Instead, it offers prioritized network access during congestion, which the company claims is a legitimate network management practice. Airtel emphasized that such prioritization is essential for delivering quality of service (QoS) to users who demand higher reliability for critical applications like video conferencing, online gaming, and real-time financial transactions.
Impact on 5G and Future 6G Potential
Airtel warned that restricting innovative service models could stifle investment in 5G infrastructure and slow down the evolution toward 6G. The company stated that the ability to offer tiered services is a fundamental driver for monetizing 5G networks, which in turn funds research and development for next-generation technologies. Without such flexibility, India risks falling behind in the global telecom race.
The DoT panel is currently examining whether 'Priority Postpaid' violates the country's net neutrality rules, which mandate equal treatment of all internet traffic. Critics argue that such plans create a two-tier internet, where wealthier users get faster access. However, Airtel maintains that the service is transparent and complies with all regulatory guidelines.
The telecom giant also highlighted that similar prioritization models exist in other countries and have not been deemed anti-competitive. Airtel urged the panel to consider the long-term benefits for the Indian telecom ecosystem, including enhanced user experience and network efficiency.
The DoT is expected to release its findings in the coming weeks, which could set a precedent for how telecom operators in India can leverage 5G capabilities without breaching net neutrality norms.
