TRAI to finalise views on OTT services by May-end: RS Sharma

TRAI has, however, made it clear that the scope of its current consultation would be regulatory issues and economic concerns pertaining to those OTT services that are “same or similar” to the services provided by telecom service providers (TSPs).

Telecom regulator TRAI hopes to finalise, by May-end its views on whether Over-The-Top (OTT) services like Whatsapp and Skype should be brought under the regulatory regime, an issue on which it has kept an “open mind” and studied global best practices and European model, a top official said.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Chairman R S Sharma told PTI that the regulator has also studied the European Electronic Communications Code (European Union is amending the common rules regulating the telecom industry) and will keep global best practices in mind while formulating its opinion.