Telcos rue inadequate checks on competing OTT services

Telcos and communications apps sparred at Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (Trai) discussion on whether to regulate such over-the-top (OTT) players.

While mobile phone operators pushed for regulating the likes of WhatsApp and Facebook, saying they provide the same services of calling and messaging as telcos do, the apps pushed back, saying they were already regulated under the IT Act, and further regulation would stifle innovation.

“OTTs are not free riders… OTTs are also leading to significant revenue generation and huge investments… they are innovating and creating new services, and have enabled explosive data growth amongst telecom service providers,” Broadband India Forum’s Debashish Bhattacharya said on Monday, arguing for the apps, and added that two sides had a symbiotic relationship.