- 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?
Yes Internet has not fully reached most part of the country. For more than 80% of population of india, Internet charges are unbearable. Bringing this rule will surely restrict growth of internet users and reach of online services to most of india. Plus in the growing nation like india services like Facebook/Whatsapp/Youtube are supporting and advertising many businesses and individuals. Too early to worry about this.
- 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?
This may be a good turn, Charging Apps instead of Users. - Is the growth of OTT impacting the traditional revenue stream of telecom service providers (TSPs)? If so, is the increase in data revenues of the TSPs sufficient to compensate for this impact?
Telecos should actually price their plans according to their operational and maintenance cost, They should charge the internet as it costs to them without worrying about the revenues other companies are earning out of it. - 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?
This may be a good point too. Those companies should pay the part of revenue they are earning not us from our pockets. If OTT players pay it is fare transaction, otherwise we will end up paying both telecos + ott. - 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?
Answered in 4. - 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?
It should be handled separately, Anyway net nuetrality in no step in this regard. Security in Chat + Call + sharing apps is individual's concern + OTT players' responsibility. - How should the OTT players offering app services ensure security, safety and privacy of the consumer? How should they ensure protection of consumer interest?
Answered in 5. - In what manner can the proposals for a regulatory framework for OTTs in India draw from those of European Telecommunications Network Operators (ETNO)? What practices should be proscribed by regulatory fiat?
NA - What are your views on net-neutrality in the Indian context?
Dont charge user for the thing he is not liable to,charge the OTT players. - What forms of discrimination or traffic management practices are reasonable and consistent with a pragmatic approach? What should or can be permitted?
Traffic should not be discriminated at all, otherwise it creates a unwanted problem in internetworking world. - 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?
Control of TSP over charges and bandwidth allocatin control of OTT's may cause other problems too. How about TSP favouring thier OTT's and disallowing rival OTT's. How about TSP asking money from OTT"s for a favour. - How should a conducive and balanced environment be created such that TSPs are able to invest in network infrastructure and Content and Application Providers (CAPs) are able to innovate and grow? Who should bear the network upgradation costs?
First thing first, TSP's should charge what is right disregard of the Internet traffic. Charges should not be discriminated based on the APPS/Services. - 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?
This will be a bigger problem and undemocratic too. Controlling the telecomm companies will be a tough job when we have a bold history of 2G etc cases. - 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?
It is not justified. - 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?
I dont know - What framework should be adopted to encourage India-specific OTT apps?
- If the OTT communication service players are to be licensed, should they be categorised as Application Service Providers (ASP) or Communications Service Providers (CSP)? If so, what should be the framework?
- Is there a need to regulate subscription charges for OTT communication services?
- What steps should be taken by the Government for regulation of non-communication OTT players?
- Are there any other issues that have a bearing on the subject discussed?