A fresh row has erupted over the need for OTT platforms to pay service fees to mobile operators.

The OTT players said any fee violates net neutrality principles even as they underlined the fact that OTT services lead to growth in data usage, which benefits the telcos.

Telcos have been batting for compensation from OTT players for using their networks. OTT refers to applications and services that are accessible over the internet and ride on an operator’s network.

Broadband India Forum (BIF), the policy think-tank, which has among its members leading IT companies and telecom equipment makers, said demand for network usage fees from OTTs by telecom operators is outdated and would violate net neutrality principles.

“Overregulation of the OTTs would be counterproductive, as this will lead to a higher cost to customers and reduce consumer choice,” BIF president, T.V. Ramachandran said.

It would also adversely impact innovation, lead to discrimination, and affect smaller entities and start-ups, the BIF said.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents telecom operators such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, said that it is a misguided view that fair share charges on large traffic-generating OTTs will violate net neutrality principles.

“Payment of fair share fee by Large Traffic Generating OTTs to TSPs will eventually enhance customer satisfaction, as end-users will benefit via better network quality and improved services,” COAI director-general, S.P. Kochhar, said.

Telecom operators have been demanding ‘same service same rules’ for OTT players that provide communication services such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Meet and Telegram.