Zero Rating is Just a Promotion to Encourage Sampling of a Product

Most Internet and technology advocates prize innovation, especially innovation that makes Internet apps and services more affordable, more consumable or more useful. So it is curious that some forms of innovation that do these things get attacked. So powerful is "ideology" that consumer welfare might suffer. 

Consider Internet Basics or zero rating, both efforts to make Internet apps available to people who have never used the Internet, or to encourage use of Internet apps without additional charge. 

You might argue both efforts are praiseworthy and obviously good for consumers. But some oppose such efforts, "even if good for consumers," because they supposedly are violations of network neutrality. 

That remains a matter of fierce debate. Some of us do not believe zero rating is an issue, or a violation of network neutrality principles (best effort only access, access to all lawful apps) at all. 

Of course, we do not all agree on what "network neutrality" means, much less how it should be applied. Some frame the concept in terms of "all bits have to be treated alike." Those familiar with how voice, video or other isochronous forms of media behave would argue that if you want consistent quality, isochronous media have to have some form of predictable delivery. 

Those of you who use various forms of voice over IP or video over IP know what happens when any part of the connection gets congested. There are times, in other words, when some form of predictive packet delivery actually can improve quality of experience. 

But those are "technical" issues. Encouraging people to try the Internet is a "business" issue. And there suppliers must be free to innovate with pricing and packaging. 

In principle, the insistence that promotions are not allowed, or that usage without additional charge is forbidden, goes too far. Those marketing and promotional tactics do not violate anybody's "rights."

Internet Basics is one effort to encourage non-users to sample the Internet. Zero rating does the same. Both will help us connect the unconnected. There always are trade-offs in life. You simply need to make your choices. 

If "connecting the unconnected" is the objective, allowing consumers access without charge is a good thing.