Get All Access for $5/mo

Telcos Say OTT Platforms Are Threat To National Security: Report As per the report, the companies sought a regulatory and a licensing regime for internet-based communications companies to ensure that they adhere to rules and guidelines of the country

By Teena Jose

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Pexels

Prominent telecom companies like Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea, on Wednesday, complained to telecom regulator TRAI that popular OTT platforms like Whatsapp, Facebook, Telegram, Instagram and Skype are a threat to national security, according to a TOI report.

As per the report, the companies sought a regulatory and a licensing regime for internet-based communications companies to ensure that they adhere to rules and guidelines of the country.

"When it comes to blackouts and outages, there are instances when services of platforms such as WhatsApp are down, but there are no questions asked from them. As telcos, we are held accountable for quality of services, and even other parameters related to consumer services," the telcos said in a statement.

The companies raised the issue in a meeting with Trai chairman P D Vaghela, the telcos – led by Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal and having senior officials from Jio, Vodafone Idea, Tata Tele and BSNL. According to them, while mobile companies are being subjected to stiff regulations such as lawful interception' and licensing norms, there are no such controls on OTT companies even though they increasingly account for a significant share of call and messaging traffic.

"Apart from getting an easy regulatory regime, the new-age internet companies that ride over their networks are also consuming their revenues, which is having an impact on network expansion plans and profitability," the statement added as per the report.

Signifying the part of being a threat to the society, the telecom companies put forward that most of the OTT platforms are app-based businesses, which are operating in India a 'near regulatory vaccum' having not much operational regulations from the side of the government.

Teena Jose

News Desk Reporter with Entrepreneur India

Teena is a post graduate in financial journalism. She has an avid interest in content creation, digital media and fashion.
Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Science & Technology

Why Businesses Are Relying on Automation to Survive the Labor Crisis

Robots are revolutionizing industries by addressing labor shortages and enhancing efficiency, while businesses navigate challenges like workforce adaptation and high implementation costs.

Green Entrepreneur®

How Global Business Leaders Can Build a Sustainable Supply Chain

Businesses can build sustainable supply chains by leveraging technology to reduce environmental impact, optimize resources and track emissions while balancing operational efficiency and sustainability goals.

Celebrity Entrepreneurs

The Pep Talk From Mickey Mouse We All Need to Hear, Compliments of Chris Diamantopoulos

Chris Diamantopoulos, the star of "The Sticky," "Red Notice" and the voice of Mickey Mouse, gets real about resilience, chasing dreams, and his desperate wish for a normal hobby.

News and Trends

Fast Fire Watch Guards: Protecting Your Business From Today's Fire Hazards

As a watch guard company, Fast Fire Watch Guards provides vigilant monitoring and immediate responses to signs of potential fire hazards in commercial spaces.