1. INTRODUCTION
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India released a
consultation paper on the 'Regulatory Framework for
Over-The-Top Communication Services' on November 12, 2018 (the
"Consultation Paper").
The objective of the Consultation Paper was to analyse and
discuss the implications of the growth of over-the-top
("OTT") services providers and their
relationship with telecom service providers
("TSPs").
It also sought to analyse the consequent changes which may be
required in the current regulatory framework and the manner in
which such changes should be effected, inviting comments from
stakeholders on how the sector should be regulated.
Some of the key questions raised by the Consultation Paper are
whether the services provided by both OTT communication service
providers and TSPs are essentially the same, or similar; and as a
result, is the playing field governing them, level?
