Marco Angelo D'Souza
Bharti Airtel customers will now have to pay more -- Rs 10,000 per GB on 2G network -- for making calls on Skype, Viber or other apps, as the operator has decided to charge extra for VoIP service (voice calls over Internet).
Based on standard rates, usage of each GB of data for VoIP on 3G network will cost about Rs 4,000 and while the same on 2G netwrok will cost about Rs 10,000.
Under schemes, Airtel sells 1GB of 3G data for Rs 249 and 1GB of 2G internet for Rs 175.
This is the first time in the country that any mobile operator is charging separately for VoIP service.
Here are the key points of the impact of this decision:
-Airtel’s new change in data tariff plans result in an unfair increase in charges when using VoIP services such as Skype, Viber, and any other Web based voice calling apps.
-With their earlier data plan, a typical 5 minute Skype call would cost about 70 paise over Airtel’s mobile Internet. With the new plan, it jumps to Rs 11.20 on 3G and Rs 28 on 2G.
-This may have been a pre-emptive move, triggered by WhatsApp’s rumoured entry into the VoIP space.
-This move goes against the principles of Net Neutrality. Net Neutrality implies treating all kinds of data on the Internet equally, without any preferential treatment given to a particular type of application, website, platform, equipment or mode of communication.
-This points to a worrying trend where service providers may give in to the temptation of fixing differential charges to certain web services that have replaced--or offered cheaper alternatives--to existing services that were previously sources of revenue to them: WhatsApp has all but replaced SMS and VoIP calls are now regular alternatives to STD and ISD calls.
Until such time the regulatory authorities weigh in definitively on this issue, it would be prudent to use bandwidth-heavy web apps (Skype, YouTube et al) over a WiFi connection where possible, and to examine the fine print in your Internet provider’s service contract to make sure you’re not left with paying hefty bills.
