To understand the reason, let us first understand the meaning of carriage and content. Carriage is the medium through which the data flows. Whereas the content is the data that flows over the carriage, If you want to make a call through WhatsApp and you have a Jio sim, you are paying WhatsApp for the content that is made available to you by Jio’s carriage and internet.The draught telecom bill of September 21, 2022, says that all internet-based OTT communications should be included in the telecom services. And as per the law, all telecom services are regulated by the government.Video Courtesy: Think SchoolThis leads to two major problems. The first problem, which I mentioned at the beginning of the article, will arise due to the compliance of licensing for the platforms, which will cost them around Rs 500 crore.The second problem is that this bill is killing innovation directly and killing the very idea of digital India. Today, if an app designer realizes a problem and wants to create an app to solve it, he simply creates the app, earns profits, and then eventually pays taxes accordingly. But after this bill, the designer must first acquire a license to launch his app.But why is the government acting in this manner? The main reason for this is their concern for national security. Because the platforms do not come under government regulation, they cannot see the data because of encryption.Aside from that, the draught telecom bill includes a provision requiring all sales and promotional companies that have irritated us with their spam calls to reveal their identities. That means instead of calling from a random number, the company has to display the true information, and if they fail to do so, they have to pay the penalty and their mobile number will be banned.What do you think of this draft telecom bill? Comment below.
