Prominent startup founders write to TRAI; say over regulation of internet services may have discriminatory consequences

New Delhi, Sep 26 (PTI) Founders and top leaders of many prominent startups, including Zerodha's Nithin Kamath and Paytm's Vijay Shekhar Sharma, have written a joint letter to regulator TRAI in support of net neutrality, and cautioned that any move towards "over regulation" of internet services categorised as OTT services could have "discriminatory consequences".

The letter, signed by representatives of 129 startups, calls for the internet to be maintained as an open platform where network providers treat all content, application, and services equally, without discrimination.

This includes not putting a service at a competitive disadvantage, either by imposing additional network fees or other regulatory obligations such as licensing under a telecommunications framework, according to the letter addressed to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman PD Vaghela.