Defer Net neutrality, demand telcos

NEW DELHI: Industry body COAI has urged the government to bring over-the-top (OTT) service providers like WhatsApp, Google Duo etc under licensing regime and defer net neutrality rules on telecom operators till the time 'same service same rules' are applied on the apps.

COAI, whose members include Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea etc, wrote to the telecom department on February 9 in response to the recommendation of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on OTT players that no regulations should be imposed on the calling and messaging apps till the time clarity emerges in the international jurisdictions.

"Till the time any decision is taken regarding licensing of OTT communication providers, the un-equitability between TSPs (telecom service providers) and OTTs should not be increased further in any manner.

"Therefore, till such time, no new licensing conditions, including that of traffic management practices for net neutrality etc., should be imposed on TSPs," Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said.

Telecom operators have been demanding that the government should impose 'same service, same rules' to provide a level playing field in the sector.

The net neutrality principles, approved by the telecom department in 2018, prohibit service providers from discriminating against inter net content and services by blocking, throttling or according preferential higher speeds.