Not regulating OTT communication services is in consumers’ interest, says BIF

New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (Trai) recommendation to not regulate over-the-top (OTT) communication services such as WhatsApp and Skype is largely in the interest of consumers, said Broadband India Forum (BIF) on Tuesday.

The industry think tank said concerns raised over lack of a level-playing field for telecom service providers (TSPs) versus OTTs are incorrect and “erroneously overlook” that the latter cannot acquire spectrum, own network, control the access to infrastructure and interconnect using public network.

“Article 14 of the Constitution of India, which governs level-playing field, guarantees equal treatment only to persons who are equally situated… To put TSPs and OTTs at par is wholly unjustified, arbitrary, unconstitutional and violative of Article 14,” BIF said.