Telecom companies have demanded a single act to regulate various services including over-the-top (OTT), direct-to-home (DTH), content, etc. as technology has blurred the lines of segregation. Besides, they have sought regulatory certainty as well as enabling measures for ease of doing business. The submission of telecom operators was part of the consultation process by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on the need for a new legal framework governing telecommunication in India.
The telcos have reiterated their demand to regulate OTT communication services such as WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram etc. It has been noted that while telecom operators are required to comply with various rules and regulations, no such policy exists for OTT players, which also offer the same set of services to consumers.
Also, the telcos have submitted that broadcast, content and telecom have merged to become one and therefore a single act should regulate the services. At present, content is being governed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting while intermediary rules under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology watch after the internet, and the DoT regulates mobile services. Due to the multiplicity of various rules, problems are often encountered in implementation.
Further, the telcos have highlighted that currently, most firms offer a wide array of services such as internet protocol television (IPTV), DTH or content but have to seek approvals from various ministries and different rules govern these services. They are of the view that one Convergence Act would streamline the whole process and make it easier for all stakeholders.
Besides, telecom operators have sought regulatory certainty so that they can plan for the future in a secure way. Lauding the recent amendments of the right of way (RoW) rules notified by the DoT, they have expressed that there should be some enabling provisions for the implementation.
