Hello Sir,
Before I contribute towards answers for the questions you asked, I would like to express my feelings of the current situation
"The unfortunate truth which I see is Telecom Operators want all the blame on TRAI rather than themselves if they charge differently for OTT."
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.
I think from Security perspective, definitely regulatory action is needed. But from a price perspective I really feel no. Cause internet is a commodity.
I think OTT service should be regulated only after Telecom Operators are asked to pay penalties for very slow speeds service which they promise but are unable to deliver.
TSP's do not deliver on promised speeds than by what right they want us to charge differentially for OTT.
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.
No doubt TSP volumes have been impacted but I doubt their revenue has been impacted
Data packs used to cost Rs 147 for 2 - 4 GB few years back. Now they cost 155 Rs for 0.5 GB on 2G. Price calculation comes out to be 4 -8 times more expensive. I don't believe such high inflation is there and that cannot compensate the loss from SMS which TSPs are cribbing.
Also a 1 Re. SMS now costs 1.5 Re. If you look in the decline in number of SMS which won't be 15-20% max but a hike of 50 % means a gain of 20% (0.8*1.5=1.2)
Plus earlier monthly packs are now 28 days pack now
So do not think their revenues have been impacted
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.
This is like saying, should Mixer ,Grinder,Table Fan pay to electric companies cause without them these companies couldn't make money.
In India , already we have low speeds as one major concern as compared to other countries.Internet penetration will suffer if we have OTT pricing.
Second TSP are not able to provide promised 3G speeds everywhere, people still have to suffer from. No action is taken when people don't get promised speeds.
Third, ISP do not charge differentialy than why does TSPs has the right.Internet has always been there, People have done business on them. Now when ICICI does Bank transaction, does it pays to BSNL.... No
If I do skype call over wifi, do ISP charge me extra ?..... No, then why TSP has the right
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.
India has always maintained net neutrality and even the recent verdict on quashing of 66A on IT Act proves how we support net should be free from so many restrictions
Plus I maintained a stance we are paying for data and TSP get their revenues from that. Retail store does not ask you to pay more for potato used in Fries and less if you make Bhaji.
Hence I would like to summarize my views as we need regulation of OTT for security and prevent misuse or to track miscreants/criminals but definitely not for the case of extra charging when TSP
A message to TSP, first please provide good data services then demand for differential pricing
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