TRAI calls for structured regulation of OTTs

The TRAI chairman confirmed that over-the-top communication services will be subject to structured regulations as they have benefited consumers and businesses, but some regulatory issues have been raised.

The Department of Telecom and TRAI have had limited success in checking online spam and scams on OTT platforms

This development comes weeks after industry body Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) expressed concern over the exclusion of OTT messaging apps from the proposed new service authorization framework.

After excluding over-the-top (OTT) messaging platforms from the licensing regimeThe Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has reportedly called for structured regulation of these platforms, including WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal, among others, following security concerns flagged by agencies law enforcement and telecommunications operators.

“Over-the-top communications services have benefited consumers and businesses, but law enforcement agencies and traditional communications providers have raised certain regulatory issues and (therefore) should be subject to structured regulation,” he said. inform the ET, citing Anil Kumar. Lahoti, chairman of TRAI.

Lahoti was speaking on the sidelines of India Mobile Congress 2024.

He also insisted that regulators globally must maintain a balance between encouraging innovation and ensuring a fair and competitive market, given the cross-border nature of OTT services.

The report noted that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and TRAI have had limited success in checking online spam and scams on OTT platforms, highlighting the jurisdictional complexities associated with enforcing restrictions to potential criminals.

This development comes weeks after the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) expressed concerns on the exclusion of OTT communication platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram from the proposed new service authorization framework.

Before that, industry bodies representing OTT platforms exploded to the demand of telecommunications operators to subject these applications to the licensing regime, in August. Broadband India Forum (BIF) said a single authorization regime would be arbitrary and disrupt the regulatory framework, adding that different services require different terms and conditions.

In early May, the TRAI revealed its plans to stay open door discussions to formulate a framework for monitoring OTT communication services that are not covered under the scope of the Telecommunications Act 2023.