The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has conditionally permitted operators to offer video calling facility on their 3G networks. However, operators have to ensure that they implement tools for interception of these services by July 31, 2011.
Currently, only Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL) and Reliance Communications (RCOM) offer these services. Prior to this, these operators were asked by the DoT to stop video calling services as security agencies were unable to intercept the video calls in real time.
Thereafter, these operators offered several alternatives to the DoT, including reassuring the ministry that a suitable mechanism would be implemented for monitoring such calls.
The DoT, in a statement stated, “After examining various options, it has now been decided to permit carriage of calls on mobile networks subject to an undertaking being provided by the concerned service providers that they shall demonstrate the required capability by July 31, 2011.?
The DoT added that the operators require to develop the requisite technical capabilities to offer such services and offer the same for testing sufficiently ina dvance so that the testing process is completed and communication regarding satisfactory testing can be issued by the DoT to the operators by July 31, 2011.
