TRAI seeks views to regulate OTT apps like WhatsApp, Skype and more

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has determined to sort views on whether to regular communication apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, and Viber. This comes to light mainly because of economic and security matters. In a paper released Monday, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India asked views of the industry to identify which of these apps should be regarded as providing the same services like mobile phone operators. It also wanted to know the costs and benefits of bringing these communication apps under the regulatory regime. The department's main goal is to know if communication apps need to be regulated much like the telecom networks for issues around lawful interception in the interests of national security. It wanted to know if OTT players that provide communications services should be treated differently from licensed telecom network which needs to ensure privacy and security of data. The regulator’s decision to bring in the OTT debate comes from the fast-evolving nature of the sector and changes in the regulatory and policy framework since it first began consultations in March 2015. TRAI said the terms and reality had changed from the time a telecom department panel had recommended regulating communication OTTs to prevent cost arbitrage with ...