According to the Cellular Operators Association of India, Indian telecom operators have previously requested a fair share of revenues from OTT (over-the-top) communication players, however the government has largely ignored these appeals. To ensure fairness, the telecom companies are now advocating that OTT players should contribute to the costs of telecom infrastructure.
COAI has argued that since OTT services are similar to those offered by telcos, a level playing field is necessary. Unlike telecom providers, OTT players are not required to comply with licensing norms despite offering comparable services.
Additionally, COAI has urged the government for more mid-band spectrum to enhance 5G service delivery. While telcos received 800 MHz of mid-band spectrum in previous auctions, they claim that at least 2 GHz is needed to adequately serve their customers.
