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.

Ans: It is important to adopt a strong and just regulatory framework now so that a wrong precedent is not set and any non-neutral actions can be nipped in the bud. Any regulatory framework which breaks the principles of Net Neutrality should NEVER be adopted, neither now nor in the future.


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.

Ans: NEVER because it will hamper consumer choice, stifle growth of new kinds of products and services, and impede India’s economic progress. For example, if airline companies decide to offer online customer service through voice chat, an already heavily taxed and loss-making industry should not have to take another license.


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.

Ans: Radio channels cannot tax television channels for reduction in revenue. Even if OTT players are impacting the traditional revenue streams of TSPs, the TSPs cannot tax OTT services. Market forces should allow TSPs to reach a profitable price-point. TSPs need to invest in the quality and expansion of their existing products. TSPs need to explore outside their traditional revenue streams. India’s economy needs to favour innovative companies’ not outdated incumbents with vested interests. Simply put, why should the end user / benefactor of technological marvel suffer in order to benefit some telecom companies bottom-line.


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: OTT players should NEVER pay TSPs for anything that can entail the violation of principles of Net Neutrality. This will totally rig the playing field (by increasing their costs and reducing competitiveness) against small innovative start-ups / companies.


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: The Internet IS a levelled playing field for everybody. In today’s world, OTT players do not operate solely in the virtual world but, on the contrary, interact with “REAL” world products and services, and result in creation of innumerable jobs. In an ever more connected world, any law or regulation which breaks this ‘FLAT’ and ‘NEUTRAL’ nature of the Internet would harm economic growth.


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: This question requires a completely separate debate in itself. First and foremost, governments and all companies should respect and uphold the consumer’s Right to Privacy. If we lose privacy, we lose freedom itself because we no longer feel free to express what we think. India cannot be allowed to become a complete surveillance state which taps every OTT service which a consumer accesses. Second, OTT services should be allowed to freely combine and bundle online communication services within applications, and shouldn't be forced to keep data records. For example, an online vegetable ordering service should not be forced to save online communications between a buyer and seller.


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: All OTT services should adopt state of the art security standards in online communication. And they should keep consumers informed about the right privacy and security choices. In fact, the government should be pro-active in making companies aware of such practices.


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: As already answered, NO regulatory framework is required which violates Net Neutrality.


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: A FREE and OPEN Internet is a pillar of democracy and our fundamental right. Internet service providers and governments should treat ALL data on the internet EQUALLY, not discriminating or charging differentially by user, content site, platform, application, type of attached equipment, or modes of communication.


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: Any kind of traffic discrimination or management practices should never violate principles of Net Neutrality. And TSPs should be completely transparent about their traffic management principles.


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: Again, any case by case traffic management of OTT applications, even if it is transparent, violates Net Neutrality. So, this question won’t arise if TRAI ensures Network Neutrality.


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: Free market forces should allow TSPs to reach a price-point where they can profitably invest in network infrastructure. As a municipal water supply does not charge companies making washing machines and does not tax people for using these machines, similarly OTT players should be given a free market to flourish.


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: Again, DO NOT violate the principles of Net 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: Again, DO NOT violate the principles of Net Neutrality.


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: Again, DO NOT violate the principles of Net Neutrality. ALL data on the Internet is EQUAL. ALL bits are bits, NO need to segregate OTT players. TSPs need to focus on improving their existing products and quality of service.


Question 16: What framework should be adopted to encourage India specific OTT apps? Please comment with justifications.

ANSWER: Ensure that the principles of Net Neutrality are upheld. TSPs with vested interests should NEVER be able to impede consumer access to any app.


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: Again, NO regulatory framework required. NO segregation of OTT players required. NO traffic discrimination required. ALL bits are bits. DON’T hamper industry growth. Uphold Net Neutrality.

Question 18: Is there a need to regulate subscription charges for App based/OTT communication services? Please comment with justifications.

ANSWER: Again, NO regulatory framework required. DON’T hamper industry growth. Uphold Net Neutrality.


Question 19: What steps should be taken by the Government for regulation of non-communication App based/OTT players? Please comment with justifications.

ANSWER: Again, NO regulatory framework required. DON’T segregate or discriminate OTT players. DON’T hamper consumer choice. DON’T hamper industry

Question 20: Are there any other issues that have a bearing on the subject discussed?

ANSWER: Uphold Net Neutrality. Uphold an Open Internet. Uphold the citizens’ Right to Freedom of Speech. Question 19: