Telco proposal sparks concern over costs

Over-the-top services: A woman stands next to a logo of messaging application Whatsapp in Mumbai. A controversial plan to get platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram to pay a commission to Indian networks is being met with resistance. — Reuters

NEW DELHI: India’s Internet service providers have come up with a controversial proposal that may require popular online communication platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram to pay them a commission for using their networks.

The Cellular Operators Association of India, which represents the country’s three leading private telcos, has proposed that such over-the-top (OTT) communication services, which also include the likes of Zoom and Instagram, contribute to setting up and maintaining their telecom infrastructure, instead of taking “a free ride” on them.