New Delhi To have a level-playing field, telecom operators have proposed a licencing regime for over-the-top (OTT) players like WhatsApp and Skype, a view which is opposed by internet firms and associations. This comes after all the stakeholders submitted their comments on Trai’s consultation paper on Net Neutrality.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has released the name and email IDs of over one million people who gave their comments on the consultation paper. The telecom operators said they should be allowed to offer services based on mutual agreements with the OTT players.
Idea Cellular Ltd has urged the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to allow telecom operators to charge differential tariff for data traffic for voice-over internet protocol applications.
“…with the advent of VoIP (voice-over internet protocol) services riding free on Indian mobile operators expensive data network, the voice business which was absorbing most of the costs of telecom operators will no longer be able to do so,” Idea Cellular said in a letter to TRAI’s consultation paper.
It added that if the decision is made to have the same data tariff for VoIP and other data applications, it would result in current data tariffs increasing anywhere between six-to-ten times from the current levels. Bharti Airtel Ltd had sparked off a debate earlier for announcing such differential tariffs for voice over internet protocol, provided by applications such as Viber, Skype, etc.
“There is a pressing need to find a fair regulatory and commercial solution especially for VOIP telephony services, which if not addressed could endanger the entire Digital India programme of the Government,” Vodafone India said. However, Nasscom said the Information Technology Act is mandated to ensure this and believe there is no need for any additional regulations for content and services.
Telcos in line of fire In the wake of increased number of complaints of call drops and inflated bills, Telecom Secretary Rakesh Garg pulled up operators, asking them immediately address customer grievances and improve network.
