In response to mounting concerns, Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has assured that Over-the-Top (OTT) players and applications will not be subject to the provisions of the new telecom bill. Instead, they will continue to fall under the regulatory ambit of the Information Technology Act of 2000. The minister’s statement directly addresses apprehensions raised by specific app developers and activists regarding the potentially broad interpretation of ‘telecommunications’ in the new legislation.
Clarification Eases Industry Apprehensions
The minister clarified, stating, “OTT has been regulated by the IT Act of 2000 and continues to be regulated by the IT Act. There is no coverage of OTT in the new telecom bill passed by the Parliament.” This clarification seeks to allay concerns and legal ambiguities surrounding the scope of the Telecom Bill, currently awaiting presidential assent. The move aims to establish clear boundaries and maintain the status quo in the regulation of OTT services.
Industry Welcomes Government Clarification
Following the government’s clarification, industry players, including Meta, expressed relief. A Meta spokesperson stated, “We welcome the clarification on the exclusion of OTTs from the telecom bill. We believe this will further boost the country’s digital ecosystem and the internet economy.” Industry body Broadband India Forum (BIF), representing major players like Amazon, Google, Meta, Netflix, and OneWeb, emphasized the significance of clear definitions and the exclusion of OTTs from telecom regulations in propelling internet and broadband penetration, fostering digital economy growth.
In navigating these regulatory dynamics, the government’s clarification aims to strike a balance between technological advancements, industry concerns, and the evolving landscape of telecommunications in India.
