Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to frame new rules for messaging apps like WhatsApp, Google’s RCS and Telegram.
According to a report in Economic Times, the company has applied for the creation of a license or license for these over-the-top (OTT) communication apps, saying that they will offer similar services as the mobile operators. OTT channels are programs and services that run over the Internet.
OTT apps to replace text and voice calls: Telco on TRAI
Responding to Mr. Trai’s extensive consultation, Airtel said: OTT services and programs have flourished and grown by removing regulatory hurdles and providing instant access to viewers worldwide over the Internet using broadband connections.
He did not name specific programs, but said OTT channels would replace text and voice services.
OTT apps, which are already regulated in the IT law, are protesting against this.
According to the report, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea also support TRAI’s proposal to overhaul the existing telecom licensing system and introduce a single license across India, the Unified Services Authorization (I do).
The proposal for a single license for all India would be the first major change to the licensing system in 30 years since 1994, the news agency said. This leads to a number of benefits, including easier doing business, simplified regulations, lower costs and fewer legal disputes.
However, they warned that the new regulation must not destroy the structural core of the telecom sector, adding that internet service providers (ISPs) should not be allowed to offer leased lines/VPNs.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.