Reliance Jio is Against Regulatory Control of OTT Content Services, Bharti Airtel

The scope of OTT content services has expanded rapidly in the last few years. However, many complaints have also been received regarding this content. Reliance Jio, one of the big telecom companies, believes that there is no basis for bringing OTT content service under the Indian Telecommunications Act.

Earlier, other stakeholders like Bharti Airtel had said that over-the-top (OTT) services that deliver broadcast content through broadband and mobile should be brought under the authorization framework. Along with this, the principle of equal service, equal rules should be applicable to them. A media report states that Reliance Jio argues that this principle does not apply to OTT. However, there was no mention of OTT in the earlier feedback given by Reliance Jio to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). company Had demanded making regulation for OTT communication. However, Reliance Jio did not explain how the OTT communication platform is different from the OTT content platform.

Recently the company had announced a merger with Walt Disney and Viacom 18 Media Private Ltd. Regarding the difference between OTT and Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs), Reliance Jio in its letter has said that OTTs are different from other DPOs like cable TV, IPTV and DTH because DPOs provide broadcasting services through their own broadcasting networks. The company had said that OTT content providers provide content through the public internet.

Reliance Jio has said that OTT content services already come under the purview of the Information Technology Act and Rules. In contrast, Bharti Airtel argues that any platform providing content similar to a regulated distribution platform should be brought under the same regulatory regime. Bharti Airtel, the country’s second largest telecom company, has also demanded to bring Prasar Bharti’s OTT platform under the authorization framework. Even before this, there has been a demand to bring content on OTT and the platforms providing these services under the regulatory ambit. Legal cases have also been filed regarding this.