COAI roots for ‘same service, same rules’ for parity with OTT communication services

Telecom operators’ association COAI has made a strong pitch for ‘same service, same rules’ with regard to OTT communication services, arguing that a level playing field needs to be maintained for all technologies.

OTT, or over-the-top, communication apps such as WhatsApp and others offer voice and video calling.

The regulatory conditions and treatment “must be made uniformly applicable for similarly placed players”, the Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI) said in a statement. “…There is a need to ensure a level playing field among all technologies, that is Same Service Same Rules with respect to OTT Communication Services, so that fair and healthy competition prevails in the industry,” COAI said.