Trai extends date for comments on OTT paper

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has further extended the date for receiving comments on its consultation paper on regulating over-the-top (OTT) apps to September 1. This is the second extension for receiving comments as stakeholders need more time to submit their point of view.

Regulating OTT apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal etc, is a much-anticipated consultation process, pitting the app makers and the startup community against telcos. The regulator will also deliberate selective banning of OTT services during instances of civil unrest that has a broad impact.

“Keeping in view the request of stakeholders for further extension of time for submission of comments, it has been decided to extend the last date for submission of written comments and counter comments up to September 1, 2023, and September 15, 2023, respectively,” Trai said in a statement.

In the consultation paper, Trai has sought views on the definition and classification of OTTs as well as demands for a level-playing field with telcos. It has also asked for views on whether regulation is required for OTTs and what form this should take.

Telcos have for long demanded that communication apps be regulated as they offer similar services without the security and financial obligations attached to a licensee. OTT players have argued they are already regulated under the IT Act and more rules will only stifle innovation.

Trai initiated the process to deliberate on regulating OTT apps after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) asked the agency to reconsider its 2020 recommendations. Trai had proposed at the time that OTT services need not be regulated.