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.
Answer : India should wait at least for another 5 year before having framework for ott as lowest broadbad speed is just 512 Kbps
Question 2: 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.
Answer : I think ott players should not be brought under licensing as it will have negative impact but registration of such services should be compulsory and there data centers should be in India only so that we can have security check
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.
Answer : TSPs are charging exorbitantly to consumers for data plans.. actually they are earning more through data plans.. so i think its more than sufficient
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.
Answer: No, data charges are being paid by consumer with taxes going to government
Question 5: 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? Please comment with justifications.
.
Answer : no , new laws should be created to regularize there usage and security concerns and data centers to be in india only
Question 6:
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? Please
comment with justifications.
Answer : compliance can be created by having registration for usage, and having data centers in india
Question 7: How should the 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 : most of OTT players are encrypting there messages for privacy and safety
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 4.23 or the best practices
summarised in para 4.29? And, what practices should be proscribed by
regulatory fiat? Please comment with justifications.
Answer : Best global practice of net - netrality should be applicable
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.
Answer: india should adopt net neutrality rules such as of developed nations having more than 10 mbps as minimum broadband speed
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 : no discrimination should be allowed in traffic control. abusers of such discrimination should be penalized
Question 11: 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?
Answer : Yes, there should be transparency of technique used
Question 12: How
should a conducive and balanced environment be created such that TSPs
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 : If TSPs do not see it as a viable option, they should get out of this business... they are handsomely earning through data growth... they will also invest if there is a business case... and you can already see results in last spectrum auction
Question 13: 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? Please comment with justifications.
Answer : No, only internet data charges should be applicable, no other priced based system should be there
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 : No, only internet data charges should be applicable, no other priced based system should be there, taxes for higher internet speeds should be
reduced to have impact.
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 : no, they are just part of internet services,
Question 16: What framework should be adopted to encourage India-specific OTT apps? Please comment with justifications.
Answer : having data centers in india & tax free for india-specific OTT upto certain no. of users in india / data consumed.
Question 17: If the 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 : Neither, they should be treated just as internet oriented service provider
Question
18: Is there a need to regulate subscription charges for OTT
communication services? Please comment with justifications.
Answer : No, this ill hamper growth in india and india will be known as land of license-raj
Question 19: What steps should be taken by the Government for regulation
of non-communication OTT players? Please comment with justifications.
Answer : new laws should be created to regularize there usage and security concerns and data centers to be in india only
Question 20: Are there any other issues that have a bearing on the subject discussed?
Answer : India should have a minimum broadband download speed of 2 mbps for year 2015 and then onwards it should be increased by 1 Mbps every year