TRAI’s apprehensions over potential dilution of powers below the draft telecom invoice have been addressed, and the federal government might have a look at the choice of taking on provisions associated to strengthening of the regulatory physique individually at a later stage, DoT sources stated.

On over-the-top (OTT) communication apps, sources stated, the main target is on person safety associated regulation, not licensing. The Department of Telecommunications (DOT), by the provisions of the draft invoice, will come down closely on spammers and people indulging in cyber frauds, sources stated.

Amid reviews of TRAI’s opposition to sure clauses of the draft telecom invoice, that had been seen diluting its powers, sources stated, ​​​discussions have taken place between the 2 sides. All the excellent points have been resolved, they stated.

There are not any variations between Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the telecom division on this concern, sources stated.

The considering in telecom division now could be that particular provisions associated to strengthening of TRAI, on the traces of US’ Federal Communications Commission or UK’s communications regulator Ofcom, could be taken up after a time frame, say 3-4 years, by a separate train. For now, the contentious amendments could also be faraway from the draft telecom invoice, at the moment within the works.

The authorities, within the draft telecom invoice — circulated for stakeholder feedback final month — has proposed a provision to waive charges and penalty of telecom and web service suppliers. The telecom division has additionally mooted a provision for the refund of charges in case a telecom or web supplier surrenders his licence.

Meanwhile, telecom service suppliers are pushing for OTT apps to be introduced below regulation. They argue that apps providing providers just like them — say WhatsApp, Signal and different related apps used for calling and messaging — needs to be topic to the identical licence circumstances as telcos, thus making certain a level-playing-field for all applied sciences.