New Delhi: Finally, there is some good news for consumers facing frequent call drop problems. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is all set to begin a process to allow telecos to offer consumers internet telephony services.
According to a report in Economic Times, TRAI Chairman RS Sharma said that the regulator will next week float a consultation paper on whether telcos should provide the choice of making calls over the Internet.
Sharma said that the motto behind this move is to bring telecos on par with apps like WhatsApp and Skype.
“Telecom service providers can't provide internet telephony, or voice over IP (VoIP), since they are licensees. On the other hand, there are others who provide VoIP, which is the same as internet telephony. This is a situation of regulatory imbalance,” Sharma was quoted as saying in the report.
"Now, we are working on internet telephony being allowed. Telcos can use internet telephony to provide voice calls, which the OTTs are using. So to some extent, the regulatory imbalance will be reduced," Sharma added.
Sharma further said the paper will explore framework for internet telephony in present context.
Internet telephony is a type of technology that allows voice calls and other telephony services including messaging using the Internet as a connection medium.
At present, apps like Skype and WhatsApp provides both the service that a telecom company provides -- voice and messaging services. The only difference is that the app is not licensed while a carrier is under a licence, which involves various regulatory requirements and fees.
Globally, telcos are permitted to provide VoIP in many markets, including the EU and the US.
There has been a huge debate in the industry over the framework for calls being made using the internet through various mobile applications. Recently, telecom industry body COAI had objected to application-based calling service of state-run BSNL saying it is violates present norms.
Internet-based calls have also led to start of net neutrality debate in India when telecom major Bharti Airtel decided to charge these calls separately in December 2014 but withdrew the plan after public protest.
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