Hi Team,
First Things First, I want a free internet & do not want to pay any additional charges on top of what I am playing.
Please find below my answers to the questions in red:
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.
Ans: Yes, it is too early. Internet provides a common platform for people from even remote areas to connect & learn. It gives endless possibilities to our youth to grow. We are still an emerging economy taking over the world and the rest of the world is inspired the way we work. Internet in today's life is a big driving force behind it. While our rural areas are still getting in terms with Internet, if such laws are implemented I am afraid they won't be able to afford it and it will hit us badly.
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.
Ans: No, If such licensing is implemented, I see a lot of startups suffering a big blow. How will we attract people from outside of India? New startups are often low on finance and with such licensing brought into effect their growth will be limited and slow.
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.
Ans: May be it is. But if we increase data revenues now it means monopoly and the control of growth and knowledge being with TSPs! Idea should be to move in a direction where knowledge is freely available and inspiring innovation, if the TSPs are losing money because of good work by facebook, google etc , it's part of their business. Frankly, I don't see any need for any compensation.
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.
Ans: NO! No additional fees is required. They can and should perhaps implement a pricing mechanism based on bandwidth consumption but then the regulation should not virtually be with TSPs instead of TRAI.
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.
Ans: NO. I don't think there's an imbalance. Human Civilization has fast evolved in technological aspect and this evolution has been boosted our growth and understanding towards our world. Letting the internet be available to people in cheapest possible manner specially for India (an English speaking nation) creates endless opportunities and hence boosts the economy. This so-called imbalance is only in line with the view of TSPs and they are only concerned about their ever increasing profits and revenues.
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.
Ans: Security regulations can definitely be laid down by TRAI and followed by TSP's for OTT. A framework can be established and OTTs can be made to follow it with the help of TSP.
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.
Ans: Again, as mentioned above, a framework can be made. Besides, an agreement can be made with OTTs to ensure this is achieved.
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.
Ans: No idea!
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.
Ans: India (and the world) needs Free Internet.
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.
Ans: Regulating traffic and content for security is understandable. Other than that, I dont see it as reasonable.
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?
Ans: Yes, it should be mandatory. Yes, it is a sufficient condition besides and audit can also be done.
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
Ans: TSP should bear the network upgradation cost. They are providing service and they bear the responsibility to maintain and upgrade it. Ofcourse, the end user may have to pay a bit more for the premium service nothing wrong with that.
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.
Ans: No Idea.
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.
Ans: No justification.
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.
Ans: No Idea.
Question 16: What framework should be adopted to encourage India-specific OTT apps? Please comment with justifications.
Ans: Precedence can be given to India specific OTT apps over foreign apps.
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.
Ans: They should be categorized as ASP.
Question 18: Is there a need to regulate subscription charges for OTT communication services? Please comment with justifications.
Ans: No Need!
Question 19: What steps should be taken by the Government for regulation of non-communication OTT players? Please comment with justifications.
Ans: No Need!
Question 20: Are there any other issues that have a bearing on the subject discussed?
Ans: Just non-regulated internet service please.
Thanks.
Regards,
Akshay Pillai