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Telecom regulator Over-The-Top (OTT) services, including Whatsapp and Skype, should be brought under the regulatory regime. The discussion paper is titled 'Regulatory Framework for Over The Top Communications Services' and is expected to be badyzed and discussed in the current regulatory framework. Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) statement said.
OTT services refer to applications and services that are accessible over the Internet. Skype, Viber, WhatsApp and Hike are some of the examples of popular and widely used OTT services.
TRAI has the following OTT services that are "same or similar" to the services provided by telecom service providers (TSPs).
The regulator has requested that the service provider should be considered as a substitute.
It has also been required to make regulatory and other regulatory decisions.
"Would inter-operability among OTT services and also inter-operability of their services with TSPs services promote competition and benefit the users, "the TRAI consultation paper said,"
TRAI has also asked if there are issues surrounding lawful interception of OTT communication that need to be resolved
TRAI has asked if there is an issue of "non-level playing field" between OTT providers and TSPs giving same gold
Telecom companies in India have long been required to provide regulatory services in the regulatory environment. offers similar services without attached licensing, conditions and levies (such as license fee). In addition, however, OTTs argues that a regulatory regime for them would be innovative.
"The objective of this consultation paper is to OTTs, the relationship between OTT players and TSPs; the similarity, if any, between services provided by the TSPs and OTT players …, "TRAI said.
COAI said that it is in the process of examining the consultation paper. Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) Director General Rajan Mathews told PTI that the badociation will be able to discuss the issues of the OTT consultation paper.
Asked if TRAI's latest move has I am interested in the COAI which has been flagging the gap between the OTTs and the TSPs, Mathews said the consultation paper is useful and hoped that it would lead to "equitable solution" in terms of "same service same rules" as is being asked by telecom players.
TRAI has been asked to comment on various issues in the paper by December 10, 2018, and counter comments by December 24, 2018.
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