MakeMyTrip bats for net neutrality, says free internet will foster innovation

New Delhi, April 17: Online travel services provider MakeMyTrip today jumped on the 'net neutrality' bandwagon, saying a free internet will foster innovation and boost pace of economic growth in the country.

Two days after rival Cleartrip logged out from Facebook and Reliance Communications-promoted internet.org, MakeMyTrip said it has no such alliance with any service provider and proposed a democratic network-neutral platform, where firms "can come together to build solutions for first-time internet users".

"We are committed to a free internet and fully support Net Neutrality. Innovation is core to our DNA and a free internet will foster innovation and boost the pace of economic growth of the country," MakeMyTrip Co-Founder and CEO-India Rajesh Magow said in a statement.

Calling for promotion of internet in India "without any commercial arrangement between the parties involved", Magow said, "We would also like to propose a democratic network neutral platform, where companies can come together to build solutions for these first-time internet users (in their native languages)."

Magow: We would also like to propose a democratic network neutral platform

He also asked government departments to consider how internet can be integrated in their respective areas to provide value to first-time internet users.

Besides travel portal Cleartrip, media giant Times Group and NDTV have also logged out of internet.org of Facebook which defended its platform, while petitions to regulator TRAI has crossed 8-lakh level to 'keep internet free'.

Net neutrality implies equal treatment for all Internet traffic and no priority given to an entity or company based on payment to service providers like telecom companies, which is seen as discriminatory.

PTI