Vaishnaw has said over-the-top players or applications won’t fall under the purview of the new telecom bill and will continue to be regulated by the Information Technology Act of 2000
The clarifications are issued in response to concerns raised by internet activists regarding the expansive definition of telecommunications in the Telecom Bill
The new Bill seeks to replace three current laws – the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950
Telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said over-the-top (OTT) players or applications won’t fall under the purview of the new telecom bill and will continue to be regulated by the Information Technology Act of 2000.
This statement addresses concerns raised by certain app makers and activists that the broad definition of ‘telecommunications’ can be interpreted to cover any internet-based communication, as per a report by the Economic Times.