Question 1: Is it too early to establish a regulatory framework for OTT services, since internet penetration is still evolving, access speeds are generally low and there is limited coverage of high-speed broadband in the country? Or, should some beginning be made now with a regulatory framework that could be adapted to changes in the future? Please comment with justifications.
Answer: It is too early.
Question 2: Should the OTT players offering communication services (voice, messaging and video call services) through applications (resident either in the country or outside) be brought under the licensing regime? Please comment with justifications.
Answer: No. The previous generation is still trying to adapt to the current services being provided and bringing additional licensing requirement will only burden them and thereby cause additional confusion.
Question 3: Is the growth of OTT impacting the traditional revenue stream of TSPs? If so, is the increase in data revenues of the TSPs sufficient to compensate for this impact? Please comment with reasons.
Answer: Not really. Before the OTT came into play the amount of revenue made through services such as SMSes and MMSes were considerably low compared to the now revenue through paid internet. While voice calling too requires high speed internet, it connects only to mobile phones and only when their internet is switched on. Therefore, it can be said that the growth of OTT has been putting revenue into their pockets nevertheless.
Question 4: Should the OTT players pay for use of the TSPs network over and above data charges paid by consumers? If yes, what pricing options can be adopted? Could such options include prices based on bandwidth consumption? Can prices be used as a means product/service differentiation? Please comment with justifications.
Answer: No. Limiting a user through additional charges and bandwidth burdens cause only frustration. And the OTT players are providing services which everyone has more or less adopted as a part of their everyday life. Do not mess with that.
Question 5: Do you agree that imbalances exist in the regulatory environment in the operation of OTT players? If so, what should be the framework to address these issues? How can the prevailing laws and regulations be applied to OTT players (who operate in the virtual world) and compliance enforced? What could be the impact on the economy? Please comment with justifications.
Answer:It is best to allow the system to grow and take additional steps later.
Question 6: How should the security concerns be addressed with regard to OTT players providing communication services? What security conditions such as maintaining data records, logs etc. need to be mandated for such OTT players? And, how can compliance with these conditions be ensured if the applications of such OTT players reside outside the country? Please comment with justifications.
Answer: Security might be the only issue. A similar system as the one for the regular calling feature can be followed.
Question 7: How should the OTT players offering app services ensure security, safety and privacy of the consumer? How should they ensure protection of consumer interest? Please comment with justifications.
Answer: They can unite with the cyber security and invest more on their security infrastructure.
Question 8: In what manner can the proposals for a regulatory framework for OTTs in India draw from those of ETNO, referred to in para 4.23 or the best practices summarised in para 4.29? And, what practices should be proscribed by regulatory fiat? Please comment with justifications.
Answer: I do not wish to comment.
Question 9: What are your views on net-neutrality in the Indian context? How should the various principles discussed in para 5.47 be dealt with? Please comment with justifications.
Answer: Net-neutrality is important for a nation such as India. Curbing it soon might curtail the internet's growth and we might never realise the true potential of internet.
Question 10: What forms of discrimination or traffic management practices are reasonable and consistent with a pragmatic approach? What should or can be permitted? Please comment with justifications.
Answer: The current method is appropriate.
Question 11: Should the TSPs be mandated to publish various traffic management techniques used for different OTT applications? Is this a sufficient condition to ensure transparency and a fair regulatory regime?
Answer: Can be. But it is best as it is now.
Question 12: How should a conducive and balanced environment be created such that TSPs are able to invest in network infrastructure and CAPs are able to innovate and grow? Who should bear the network upgradation costs? Please comment with justifications
Answer: TSPs should bare atleast 60-70 percent. CAPs can add on for the rest. TSPs are the foundation over which CAPs can build on. Thus it is only right if TSPs invest the larger amount.
Question 13: Should TSPs be allowed to implement non-price based discrimination of services? If so, under what circumstances are such practices acceptable? What restrictions, if any, need to be placed so that such measures are not abused? What measures should be adopted to ensure transparency to consumers? Please comment with justifications.
Answer: Adding discrimination only adds to the complexity of the system. Thus it is best avoided until our infrastructure can seamlessly transform between the both.
Question 14: Is there a justification for allowing differential pricing for data access and OTT communication services? If so, what changes need to be brought about in the present tariff and regulatory framework for telecommunication services in the country? Please comment with justifications.
Answer: No. Current method is a success among the population. There is no reason to make them unhappy now.
Question 15: Should OTT communication service players be treated as Bulk User of Telecom Services (BuTS)? How should the framework be structured to prevent any discrimination and protect stakeholder interest? Please comment with justification.
Answer: Yes they can be. But not all OTTs are BuTS. A detailed survery and research can determine the results accurately.
Question 16: What framework should be adopted to encourage India-specific OTT apps? Please comment with justifications.
Answer: Simply promoting them just like how Make in India was promoted. Made in India should be a campaign by itself.
Question 17: If the OTT communication service players are to be licensed, should they be categorised as ASP or CSP? If so, what should be the framework? Please comment with justifications.
Answer: I do not wish to comment.
Question 18: Is there a need to regulate subscription charges for OTT communication services? Please comment with justifications.
Answer: No need. Current method is sufficient.
Question 19: What steps should be taken by the Government for regulation of non-communication OTT players? Please comment with justifications.
Answer: I do not wish to comment.
Question 20: Are there any other issues that have a bearing on the subject discussed?
Answer: Just that everyone who is on the deciding committee must remember, discussing about user interests and service provider interests, it all boils down to one point - customer satisfaction.