TELECOM operators, in their latest submission to sector regulatorTRAI, have unanimously demanded to bring over-the-top apps like WhatsApp, Signal andTelegramwithin ambit of the licensing regime under the new Telecommunication Act. Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and industry body COAI -- in their comments on consultation paper issued by TRAI, seeking views on framework for service authorisations to be granted under Telecommunications Act, 2023 have said that callingandmessagingappsshouldbe brought under services tobe provided through authorisation.

 

“As per our understanding,OTT Communication services are covered under new Telecom Act as an access service,” Telecomoperators industrybody COAI said inits submission to the TRAI. Reliance Jio said the definition of ‘message’ and ‘telecommunication service’ under newTelecommunication Act,2023, includes all forms of telecommunication services, including the communication services provided over the to pusing the platform,serversors witches hosted in public internet.