In September, telecom operators wrote to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), urging it to reconsider the pricing of data packets to rightly account for the amount of data consumed by over-the-top (OTT) Internet-based services. Their rationale was based on OTT services consuming more data, thereby having a lopsided impact on the overall operating expenditures incurred by these telcos.
What the telcos did not expect to see here was a partial resumption of the entire net neutrality conversation in the country. After having closed it off following the landmark debate that involved Facebook (now Meta), net neutrality is a subject that has so far not seen turmoil. Until now, that is.
WHAT DO TELCOS WANT?
On July 7, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released a consultation paper for industry responses, titled 'Regulatory Mechanism for Over-TheTop (OTT) Communication Services, and Selective Banning of OTT Services'. Multiple parties and entities raised responses to TRAI's consultation, which was published by the regulatory body on September 5.
The most scathing of the lot came from Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea-the three main telecom operators of India. Airtel's representation to TRAI, which sums up the crux of all three operators in one, said "Given the large requirements for meeting the vision of digital India, large traffic originators that account for a disproportionate amount of these (network infrastructure) investments must contribute a fair share. This should be through a direct contribution to TSPs (telecom service providers)."
The surcharge that telcos want companies to be charged, as per the submissions, could be "their share of contribution to the capital cost of broadband networks. This may be computed basis of traffic, revenue, number of consumers or some other parameter that should be decided soon."
Bu hikaye Voice and Data dergisinin November, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Voice and Data dergisinin November, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Cloud endoscopy breakthrough for real-time remote diagnostics
NTT Corporation and Olympus Corporation have demonstrated the feasibility of real-time remote diagnosis and treatment using the world's first endoscopy system powered by IOWN All Photonics Network (APN) technology. The breakthrough experiment successfully processed endoscopic videos on a server located 150 km away, overcoming latency issues and enabling seamless diagnostics.
Rise of the homegrown telecom infrastructure
Telecom infrastructure, once led by US and European designs and made in China, iS Now increasingly designed and manufactured in India, marking a pivotal shift
Balancing innovation and regulation for a connected future
Crafting agile governance ensures equitable, sustainable growth, blending innovation with societal protection in a hyper-connected digital age
Driving transformative shifts towards digital leadership
India's telecom sector, driven by 5G, bold policies, and cross-sector collaborations, is paving the way to global digital infrastructure leadership
Scaling AI in data centres for the next big leap
GPU-optimised data centres are vital for advancing India’s Al ambitions, enabling it to meet growing computational demands and maintaining global competitiveness
Bridging gaps with AI's transformative communication wave
AI-driven real-time communication reshapes industries, enhancing connections, operational efficiency, and immersive experiences in a digital-first world
Weaving the fabric of CDN efficiency
Local peering transforms CDNs by cutting latency, boosting reliability, and ensuring seamless, high-speed delivery for modern digital experiences
From orbit to opportunity: Redefining connectivity
India's satcom sector is set to revolutionise connectivity through hybrid networks, bridging the digital divide and driving innovative technologies for growth
Orchestrating telecom's smart future
AI and automation can revolutionise telecom networks, crafting intelligent, selfoptimising systems to meet future demands and deliver seamless connectivity
Unlocking the true potential of IoT
Specialised silicon and 5G are set to redefine loT's future, driving AloT innovations that deliver real-time intelligence, security, and seamless connectivity
