Q1. 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.
Both from a consumer and publisher perspective of these services, a regulatory framework for what applications are available, at what speed are they available would not be needed. If anything at all we need to support the innovation that is happening than act as gatekeepers to kill it.
Q2. 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.
No. Licensing regime should not mean asking OTT players to cough up money in the name of using telecom providers services. Telecom players already charge end users for using these services , charging OTT would mean an entry barrier for anyone new coming up with an application/service.
If communication services are in question, what could be next , would they want to ban email else anyone owning/starting an mail service pays a telecom provider.
Q3. 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
The impact cannot be measured/shown by just displaying how sms services or international calling has been impacated. The increase in revenue for using data services is something that is supposed to exponentially grow which has to be attributed to OTT's that compel the users to be connected 24 X7 .
The data usage should be the revenue source with OTT's . What telecom providers need is innovation in services and better customer retention than terming OTT's foul play. They need to be the enabler in the ecosystem of such services and users and charge users for the data/bandwidth they use. So the users pay for what they use and have the freedom to choose what they use.
Q4. 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 of
product/service differentiation? Please comment with justifications
No. It is the end user who should choose the speed and data limit and pay for the same. The telcos should not be given a way to decide which services are available to users. If pricing were to be allowed rich companies will have an upper hand.
If we keep moving in this direction then what next will a telco provider decide which channel do people watch on prime time since that pays the highest price to telco.
I may not be an expert on the subject but we need internet to be neutral and free. No one should decide what services are available and money certainly should not dictate what happens on internet.
I oppose this move/proposal by TRAI and request you to act as enabler in this ecosystem since telcos are not ready to do that.
Hope you will listen to millions like me.
Best Regards,