Comparing OTT services to telecom services completely erroneous: BIF
telecom operators' suggestion to bring internet call and messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Google Meet under the ambit of telecom licences. Broadband India Forum (BIF) President TV Ramachandran, in a statement, said bringing OTT (over-the-top) services under the Telecom Act is in complete violation of Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equal treatment to every person and entity.
«Comparing OTT services to telecom services of voice and SMS is completely erroneous and overlooks the vast and critical differences between the two categories,» Ramachandran said.
He said telecom service providers enjoy several exclusive and unique rights that include the right to interference-free spectrum, numbering resources, right of way to set up infrastructure etc. However, OTT players neither have these privileges nor do they own the network or control the access to telecom infrastructure.
Industry body Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) estimates that telecom operators have spent an additional Rs 10,000 crore in 2022-23 to support traffic generated by large entertainment and communication apps.
Telecom players have been demanding that the large data traffic generator foreign apps should bear the infrastructure cost burden based on the traffic that they generate.
Telecom operators, in their latest submission to sector regulator Trai, have unanimously demanded to bring over-the-top apps like WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram within the ambit of the licensing regime under the new Telecommunication
