India's ‘Facebook ruling’ is another nail in the coffin of the MNO model

Ability to access 'net from mobe no longer considered a miracle

Nobody could accuse India's telecoms regulator, TRAI, of being in the operators' pockets. This month it has, once again, set eye-watering reserve prices for the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction (see separate item), and now it has taken one of the toughest stances in the world on net neutrality, in effect banning zero rated or discounted content deals like Reliance Communications' Facebook Basics, or Bharti Airtel's Zero."