![\"\"](\"\/\/www.iser-br.com\/Themes\/Release\/images\/responsive\/ettelecom-default.jpg\")
The government aims to create a future ready framework<\/a> with new Bill as the country moves to the new technological era and has proposed to bring internet-based calling and messaging services under the telecom rules and strengthen security for consumers.
In a bid to fast track the whole process for the industry, the department of telecommunications planned to do away with the telecom regulator’s views. But this created ruffles in the industry<\/a>. The issue though was sorted out and necessary amendments were done to maintain existing powers of the regulator.
The draft bill also seeks to expand the definition of telecom services to include OTT players<\/a> requiring them to do KYC (know your customer) of their users.
This has not gone well with many saying the proposed move will hamper the innovation and creativity in this space. Several industry bodies have called the draft Bill as overboard, saying it will impose an extensive licensing burden, hurt cross-border digital trade, hamper India's economic growth and constrain innovation. They have been asking to exclude customer equipment and software from the definition of telecommunications equipment as they are already regulated by the electronics and IT ministry (MeitY). It will also create barriers to innovation and faster technology adoption which will impact a fast-growing and fledgling sector.
Bringing OTT players under the regulation ambit has been a long demand by the telecom players by asking for the same service, same rules. Telecom industry has been asking OTT players such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Signal and Telegram to be taxed<\/a> and pay towards the license fee. Telecom service providers pay as much as 38% in taxes and levies as compared to 0% contribution by OTT players.