The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), representing nearly 600 internet firms and startups, has expressed enthusiastic support for the recently introduced Telecom Bill. Particularly, they applauded the bill’s decision to exclude Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms and email services from its regulatory scope. IAMAI sees this move as a step towards promoting internet innovation and furthering digital penetration in India.
Previously, IAMAI had advocated for limiting the bill’s focus to the network infrastructure level, separating it from the application layer where services like OTTs and email operate. This distinction, according to IAMAI, has been crucial in fostering India’s vibrant internet ecosystem and should be preserved.
The association also welcomed other provisions of the bill, including the administrative assignment of spectrum for Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellites (GMPCS). This aligns with IAMAI’s suggestions and could pave the way for improved satellite-based communication services in India.
However, it’s important to note that the Telecom Bill is still in its early stages and is likely to undergo further scrutiny and debate before becoming law. While IAMAI is pleased with the current direction, it remains to be seen if all of their recommendations will be incorporated into the final version of the bill.
Overall, the internet industry’s positive reaction to the Telecom Bill, particularly regarding OTT and email exemptions, suggests a potential step towards a more conducive regulatory environment for online services in India. The bill’s future progress and its eventual impact on the internet landscape remain to be seen, but the current developments hold promise for continued innovation and growth in the sector.