Proposed telecom policy: general authorisation to be provided for OTT services

The proposed "Telecom Policy 2015" will provide general authorisation for "Over The Top" (OTT) services of the telecommunications network, instead of embedding services in a particular network to attract new businesses both domestic and foreign by reducing cost.
According to the "Telecom Policy 2015" submitted to the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) for approval, technical innovation is leading to new methods of service provision, particularly in services provided over broadband networks. Instead of embedding services in a network, services can be delivered "Over The Top" (OTT) of the telecommunications network. This innovation means that there are opportunities for efficiently locating service delivery elements, reducing cost, and possibility of new business models. Therefore, the opportunity to provide services is open to new businesses, both domestic and foreign, and it is expected that the telecommunications market will attract entry from many more service providers and will lead to changes in market character and structure.
The development of broadband networks will lead to convergence in the types of content delivered over telecommunications networks and content delivered over broadcasting networks. The policy further maintained that spectrum rolling strategy will cover a period of three years and will inter alia provide visibility to the sector regarding spectrum will be auctioned or re-farmed.
The policy will introduce competition rules for promulgation of competition framework to maintain competitive and open telecommunications market, identification of significant market player and introduction of product markets for wholesale and retail services.
The government will formulate National Disaster Telecommunications Plan for the provision and use of telecommunications services before, during and after a national disaster. The Ministry of Information Technology will assess the federal government and the provincial governments' requirements for critical telecommunications infrastructure and services. The PTA, in conjunction with the NDMA and in consultation with licensees, will develop regulations, and licensees will adopt regulations that will apply when a regional or national emergency has been declared by federal government or a provincial government in the legally required manner to promulgate the plan. Having promulgated the necessary regulations and periodically thereafter, PTA will require licensees to audit and test their individual national disaster plans and processes. Further availability of universal, affordable and quality telecommunication services provided through open, competitive and well-managed markets which can be used by people to the benefit of the economy and society will be ensured.
The phenomena of delivering of diverse services, belonging to the domains of telecoms, media and data services, over a single digital platform needs regulatory treatment in coming years, maintained in the document. Further the policy proposes broadband proliferation by facilitating and promoting deployment of fiber and wireless network rollout, availability of spectrum to meet the demands, suitable backhaul arrangements and promotion of competition in retail broadband market.