TRAI releases consultation paper on regulatory mechanism for OTT
The written comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper are invited from stakeholders by August 4, 2023 and counter comments by August 18, 2023
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on the regulatory mechanism for Over-The-Top (OTT) communication services, and selective banning of OTT Services.
According to TRAI, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) last year had written a letter and requested TRAI to reconsider its recommendations on the Regulatory Framework for OTT communication services and suggest a suitable regulatory mechanism for OTTs, including issues relating to 'selective banning of OTT services' as part of its recommendations.
Through the letter, DoT has also mentioned that in view of the humongous growth of OTT services in the recent past and these services having reached a matured stage, there is a need to holistically look into the various aspects of these services including regulatory, economic, security, privacy, and safety aspects.
“The National Digital Communications Policy - 2018 which mentions the policy goal for "Ensuring a holistic and harmony-led approach for harnessing Emerging Technologies' It has been mentioned therein that a policy framework for 'Over the Top' services will be developed.
In response to the DoT letter, TRAI conveyed that "the Authority is of the view that a fresh consultation process may be initiated to frame suitable regulatory framework for OTT. In this regard, a consultation paper on regulatory mechanisms for OTT Communication Services, and Selective Banning of OTT Services, seeking inputs from stakeholders, has been placed."
TRAI said that the written comments on the issues raised in the Consultation Paper are invited from stakeholders by August 4, 2023 and counter comments by August 18, 2023.
