NEW DELHI: Best Mobile Phone Companies Jio custodyAirtel and Vodafone Idea on Wednesday complained to telecoms regulator Trai that popular OCT platforms for example Whatsapp, FacebookTelegram, Instagram and Skype are a threat to national security. They sought a regulatory and licensing regime for Internet-based communications companies to ensure they adhered to the country’s rules and guidelines.
In a meeting with Trai chairman PD Vaghela, the telecom companies – led by Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal and with senior officials from Jio, Vodafone Idea, Tata Tele and BSNL – said that while mobile phone companies are subject to strict regulations such as “lawful wiretapping” and licensing rules, there are no such controls on OTT companies even though they increasingly account for a significant share of call and messaging traffic.
“When it comes to blackouts and outages, there are instances where the services of platforms like WhatsApp are down, but they are not asked any questions. As telecom operators, we are held responsible for the quality of services and even other related parameters to consumer services,” the telecommunications companies said.
Mobile phone companies said that in addition to getting a simple regulatory regime, new age internet companies – which leverage their networks – are also eating away at their revenues, which is having an impact on network expansion plans and profitability.
Highlighting “threats to national security,” the telecom firms said most OTT platforms are app-based firms, operating in India in a “near regulatory vacuum,” with few guidelines governing their operations.
The government has already received OTT companies in the past as the platforms have refused to part with user data when requested by law enforcement in specific criminal cases.
In a meeting with Trai chairman PD Vaghela, the telecom companies – led by Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal and with senior officials from Jio, Vodafone Idea, Tata Tele and BSNL – said that while mobile phone companies are subject to strict regulations such as “lawful wiretapping” and licensing rules, there are no such controls on OTT companies even though they increasingly account for a significant share of call and messaging traffic.
“When it comes to blackouts and outages, there are instances where the services of platforms like WhatsApp are down, but they are not asked any questions. As telecom operators, we are held responsible for the quality of services and even other related parameters to consumer services,” the telecommunications companies said.
Mobile phone companies said that in addition to getting a simple regulatory regime, new age internet companies – which leverage their networks – are also eating away at their revenues, which is having an impact on network expansion plans and profitability.
Highlighting “threats to national security,” the telecom firms said most OTT platforms are app-based firms, operating in India in a “near regulatory vacuum,” with few guidelines governing their operations.
The government has already received OTT companies in the past as the platforms have refused to part with user data when requested by law enforcement in specific criminal cases.
