Question 1: Is it too early to establish a regulatory framework for Internet/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 1: Since the internet/OTT services are not good enough, so should not there be any regulation rules. Regulation
rules towards the consumers can be made once the internet services are made satisfactory. No country counts the internet
usage by bytes to charge cheaply as that is counted in India and directly relating it to paisa.
Question 2: Should the Internet/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 2: Not sure about this. If it is good enough for the consumers who pay for the services, it wont harm anything.
Question 3: Is the growth of Internet/OTT impacting the traditional revenue stream of Telecom operators/Telecom operators?
If so, is the increase in data revenues of the Telecom Operators sufficient to compensate for this impact? Please comment
with reasons.
ANSWER 3: The impact of one industry cannot be blamed on another industry. Its the preference of the consumers to go with
any convenient industry.
Question 4: Should the Internet/OTT players pay for use of the Telecom Operators 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 of product/service differentiation? Please comment with justifications.
ANSWER 4: No
Question 5: Do you agree that imbalances exist in the regulatory environment in the operation of Internet/OTT players? If
so, what should be the framework to address these issues? How can the prevailing laws and regulations be applied to
Internet/OTT players (who operate in the virtual world) and compliance enforced? What could be the impact on the economy?
Please comment with justifications.
ANSWER 5: Yes, I agree there are imbalances. But it should not mean that there should be laws and regulations to impact the
consumers which inturn impact the economy
Question 6: How should the security concerns be addressed with regard to Internet/OTT players providing communication
services? What security conditions such as maintaining data records, logs etc. need to be mandated for such Internet/OTT
players? And, how can compliance with these conditions be ensured if the applications of such Internet/OTT players reside
outside the country? Please comment with justifications.
ANSWER 6: Yes, there should be some level of logging so that certain filthy actions are controlled. Complete freedom will
take us to disaster.
Question 7: How should the Internet/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 7: Very broad question. It brings technology, cost and implementation in question.
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 or the best practices? And, what practices should be proscribed by regulatory fiat? Please comment with
justifications.
ANSWER 8: I dont agree with any regulatory framework till a proper internet service is offered.
Question 9: What are your views on net-neutrality in the Indian context? How should the various principles be dealt with?
Please comment with justifications.
ANSWER 9: As the name itself says, it should be neutral to lot of many factors. Now it is based on the service provider and
their crazy profit.
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 10: The practices to adopt are to be in favor of net neutrality.
Question 11: Should the Telecom Operators 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 11: Yes to certain extent
Question 12: How should the conducive and balanced environment be created such that Telecom Operators 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 12: Investing & upgradation is all in the books of the operators as it is their business and their profits
Question 13: Should Telecom Operators 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 13: It wont bring any tranparency as it violates the neutrality
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 14: No. There shouldnt be any differential pricing
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 15: No.
Question 16: What framework should be adopted to encourage India specific OTT apps? Please comment with justifications.
ANSWER 16: Any framework should be in favor of neutrality
Question 17: If the App based/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 17: They can be licensed or categorized whatever but it should maintain the neutrality.
Question 18: Is there a need to regulate subscription charges for App based/OTT communication services? Please comment with
justifications.
ANSWER 18: It is all on internet. Why should there be separate charge?
Question 19: What steps should be taken by the Government for regulation of non-communication App based/OTT players? Please
comment with justifications.
ANSWER 19 : It is all on internet. Why to see them separate?
Question 20: Are there any other issues that have a bearing on the subject discussed?
ANSWER 20: No. Just need neutrality and improve the service quality of internet providers
Regards
Muthu