OTT Apps Like WhatsApp, Viber and Skype to Remain Unregulated: Trai

A new report has surfaced which points towards the reduction of regulatory measures on OTT (Over the top) applications and platforms by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). With the present data, the telecom operators seem to be satisfied with the growing data usage which these OTT applications are driving on their networks, as opposed to their previous stance.

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Data Consumption Rising Courtesy of OTT Apps

Trai has said that the increased data usage on these platforms might be a result of an absence of stringent regulatory measures. Notably, Trai will also ponder upon regulating OTT applications for the second time. A senior Trai official told Livemint, “We have reduced the scope of that paper. We have already issued recommendations on net neutrality and previously on differential pricing. Now, very few issues are left with respect to OTT. We have to look at regulatory imbalance (with respect to telecom operators). But telecom operators themselves are saying OTTs are helping data consumption.”

Telcos Take Sigh of Relief as Revenue from Data Moves Up

At present, telecom operators have pivoted from their previous stance. The telecom players, before this were looking at OTT applications and platforms like Skype, WhatsApp, Viber as their competitors which were making a dent on their revenue by providing the same calling or messaging services over their networks without any regulatory measures or levies. On the other hand, the telecom operators had to abide by Trai’s guidelines strictly and also had to pay the decided taxes. However, the tables have turned now as these OTT platforms are driving large volume data on the operators’ networks.