Big blow to Airtel Zero; Flipkart exits deal

NEW DELHI: On the back of massive backlash to support net neutrality in India, online e-commerce player Flipkart has announced its exit from the 'Airtel Zero' platform, which could be a big blow to the country's top operator Bharti Airtel.

Flipkart was the first to join the Airtel Zero, following which it drew flak from the masses, and its ratings also dwindled on app stores.

In a statement, Flipkart said that it will be walking away from "ongoing discussions with Airtel for their platform Airtel Zero".

Telecom regulator Trai has so far recieved over 3 lakh emails via the SavetheInternet.in website, for support of net neutrality.

Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel said in a statement: "The statement made by Flipkart regarding their decision not to offer toll free data service to their customers is consistent with our stand that Airtel Zero is not a tariff proposition. It is merely an open platform for content providers to provide toll free data services. The platform remains open to all companies who want to offer these toll free data services to their customers on a completely non discriminatory."