Decoded: Why telcos, OTTs are clashing over new Telecom Act definitions

The Telecommunications Act of 2023 has sparked a showdown between the traditional telecom operators and the new-age over-the-top (OTT) service platforms over the interpretation of the telecommunication service under the new legislation.

Traditional telecom operators are pushing for OTT services, such as WhatsApp and Google Meet, to be regulated on par with themselves to ensure a ‘level playing field’. This would mean subjecting OTTs to a similar licensing regime and taxation as telcos.