NASSCOM and Industry Groups Reject Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone's Push for OTT Regulation
Lloyd
NASSCOM and Industry Groups Reject Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone's Push for OTT Regulation
Calls for stringent regulations on over-the-top (OTT) communication apps have intensified in recent months. Major telecom operators, including Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone, are leading this charge, citing concerns over the lack of a level playing field between traditional telecom services and OTT platforms like WhatsApp and Google’s RCS. However, industry bodies like NASSCOM and other key representatives have firmly opposed this push, highlighting the potential risks and adverse effects such regulation could impose on innovation and consumer choice. Background of the OTT and Telecom Conflict Telecommunication Service Providers (TSPs) in India have long felt the pressure from OTT communication services, which offer similar services such as voice calls, messaging, and video calls without being subject to the same regulatory burdens. TSPs argue that while they have to comply with strict licensing, regulatory fees, and service obligations, OTT services bypass these regulations, giving…
