Telcos to Start Internet Calls, at Par With Skype and WhatsApp

If the suggestion is followed through, it would place telcos at par with services like Skype and WhatsApp. (Photo: iStock)

The chairman of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), RS Sharma said to Economic Times about introducing a consultation paper regarding internet telephony services. Telcos would provide these services, putting them at par with Skype and WhatsApp, reports The Times of India.

TSPs (telecom service providers) can’t provide internet telephony, or woice over IP(VoIP), since they are licensees. On the other hand, there are others who provide VoIP, which is the same as internet telephony. This is a situation of regulatory imbalance

RS Sharma, Chairman TRAI

If this suggestion is followed through, consumers would have the option of making phone calls using only Internet.

Also Read: FAQ: Here’s What the TRAI Verdict on Net Neutrality Tells Us

RS Sharma commented on the proposition and added:

Today, internet is extremely important for the development of our country, and we have a fast developing startup ecosystem, for governance, banking, health, education. If you don’t have a clear separation between the network and content, we will create a mess. 

Internet based call services provided by Skype and WhatsApp had earlier triggered the net neutrality debate in 2014. Bharti Airtel had decided to charge these calls, in direct opposition with Skype or WhatsApp calls with very low costs.

However, Airtel had to later withdraw the proposition in the wake of massive protests.