The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has expressed concerns regarding recent media portrayals that distinguish Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Over-The-Top (OTT) communication platforms as operating solely at different layers of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. The association contends that this interpretation is fundamentally flawed and misrepresents the intricate technical realities of modern IP communications.
In a statement, COAI emphasized that TSPs are not confined to the network layer alone but operate across all seven layers of the OSI model. This includes the application layer, where TSPs provide services in the 4G/5G era, ensuring end-to-end service delivery from physical infrastructure to user-facing applications.
“Telecom Service Providers deliver their services through applications that span the entire OSI stack,” said Lt Gen Dr SP Kochhar, Director General of COAI while adding “This comprehensive approach is crucial for the seamless functioning of the digital ecosystem.”
Kochhar emphasised that OTT platforms, while primarily functioning at the application layer, rely heavily on the underlying infrastructure and services provided by TSPs. These platforms leverage the robust network architecture established and maintained by telecom operators, which is essential for their service delivery.
The association criticized the oversimplification of TSP operations. Kochhar said: “This mischaracterization overlooks the complex, multi-layered nature of TSP operations and underestimates their crucial role in enabling the digital ecosystem. It is essential to recognize the full role of TSP operations in the telecommunications landscape, particularly as we advance into the 5G era and beyond.”
Addressing the regulatory aspects, COAI pointed out that under the new Telecom Act, OTT communication services are considered an access service. “As per our understanding, OTT Communication services are covered under the new Telecom Act as an access service. To address the issues of non-level playing field and ensure adoption of principles of ‘Same Service, Same Rule’, these competing and substitutable services should be included under Access Services authorization under the new framework,” commented Kochhar.
