Telcos may be allowed to offer internet calls: report

Telecoms firms have been complaining to sector regulator Trai about apps such as WhatsApp, Skype and others that have been hurting their voice call revenue. Now to take on these third-party apps, telcos may get the option to offer users to make calls directly over the internet, according to a report in The Economic Times. This will help them compete with these popular apps.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is working on a process that will make this possible. Chairman R S Sharma told ET that Trai is planning to float a consultation paper on whether telcos should be allowed to provide internet telephony. He reportedly called it a regulatory imbalance where telcos aren't allowed to offer internet telephony or VoIP because they are licensees, and other third-party apps are allowed to provide the same.

Last year, telcos were up in arms against the third-party apps and wanted to implement a fee on these calls. It faced a massive outcry and was discussed during the net neutrality debates. With data plans galore, most users do not have to incur extra costs of SMS and then free calling apps ensured no-cost phone calls too.

By allowing telcos to offer services as OTT providers, this imbalance could end.