Streaming Platforms Oppose TRAI's Regulation

OTT platforms such as Netflix and Amazon, along with content delivery platforms like Universal Studios and Warner Bros. have reportedly opposed the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's move to regulate them. These platforms contend that they are not telecom operators and therefore do not fall within the authority's regulatory scope.

Content platforms also known as Content Delivery Network were represented by global industry bodies such as the Motion Picture Association, Asia Video Industry Association, and the Broadband India Forum. Additionally, advisory groups like Deepstrat and Koan Advisory participated in an open house session organized by the regulator. This session focused on the consultation paper regarding the 'Framework for Service Authorizations for the Provision of Broadcasting Services under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.'

Uday Singh, Managing Director of MPA India, representing Walt Disney Studios, Netflix, Sony, Universal Studios, Warner Bros, and Amazon Studios, stated that CDNs enable seamless video delivery through features such as content caching, video streaming, optimization of organization, reduced latency, and load balancing. These capabilities set CDNs apart from traditional telecommunications providers.

"Content delivery networks are not telecommunication networks," stated Debashish Bhattacharya, Senior Deputy Director General of the Broadband India Forum. He explained that since CDNs do not provide connectivity, they are not classified as telecom networks under the Telecom Act, 2023 and thus fall outside the regulatory purview of TRAI.

TRAI will conduct another open house discussion on December 20 regarding the consultation paper on the 'Regulatory Framework for Ground-Based Broadcasters.'