Telecom players, OTTs trade punches

The debate over OTT apps paying telecom players for network access have turned virulent with both the sides demanding they pay each other for their services to one another.

The Broadband India Forum (BIF) said the OTT apps drive traffic into the network of the telecom players and it is the OTTs who need to be reimbursed.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) countered saying telecom services are like roads, and nowhere does road builders pay to the users of roads (read OTT apps).