Latest news with #CellularOperatorsAssociationofIndia
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mobile apps exploit regulatory gap, fuel scams, spam: Telco group
NEW DELHI: The Cellular Operators Association of India ( COAI ) reiterated that mobile apps or over-the-top communication players have been exploiting the regulatory gap, and widely becoming lucrative for spammers and scammers, and said that a uniformly-implemented unified consent management framework would be critical to protect consumers against rising mobile frauds and pesky communication. "The concerns persist regarding the use of OTT communication services for increasing spam and fraud messages. This regulatory gap is increasingly being exploited, with a growing share of scams and unsolicited promotions now originating on mobile apps, adding to customer woes," COAI director general SP Kochhar told ETTelecom. Delhi-based telco group represents incumbent telcos -- Reliance Jio , Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea as well as technology vendors such as Ericsson, Nokia, Cisco and Ciena. Further, Kochhar said that it has created an uneven playing field between telecom service providers and the OTT communication service players, raising privacy, traceability and national security concerns. COAI, however, maintains that bridging this loophole by bringing mobile apps under the unified consent management framework purview would be critical to protect consumers and ensure consistency across the ecosystem. Telecom carriers and mobile app providers such as Meta's WhatsApp, Google Meet, Telegram, and Viber are at odds following the absence of a regulatory and policy regime, with the former advocating a fair share from those generating large traffic for using mobile networks. On the contrary, OTT providers argue against it. Telecom operators - Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea - also say that OTT apps should be included under the licensing regime of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, as such constitute access service. READ MORE | Mandate binding of OTT communications apps with mobile SIMs to prevent cyber fraud: Telcos "We believe a level-playing field should be created between licensed telecom operators and these unregulated app-based communication service providers by bringing them under the service authorization framework." OTT providers are a direct substitute for the services provided by the traditional telcos, and have eroded into the business of telcos by providing voice, video and messaging services while riding on the network created by the telecom carriers, according to the body. Nearly 70% of the mobile data traffic is driven by large OTT players. Recently, a London-based top telco group said that regulators should ensure a level playing field to ensure the sustainability of network investment. App service providers are not required to hold a wireless license and operate with minimal oversight, despite their growing influence. However, governments worldwide are scrambling to bring them into regulatory ambit, but are facing stiff resistance from Big Tech as well as consumer groups.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
COAI opposes direct spectrum allocation to enterprises over security, economic concerns
NEW DELHI: The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing private telecom service providers, has strongly opposed the direct allocation of spectrum to enterprises. It argues that such a move is not viable in India due to the country's unique telecom ecosystem, potential revenue losses, and national security risks. COAI — which counts Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea among its members — insists that enterprise 5G requirements should be met exclusively through licensed Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), either via spectrum leasing or through network slicing. According to the association, the Indian scenario differs significantly from countries like the US, Finland, Germany, and the UK, where private 5G networks are typically deployed in remote or geographically isolated areas. In contrast, most Indian enterprises are located in well-serviced urban zones already covered by licensed telecom operators. The association also disputes claims that independently setting up private 5G networks would be more cost-effective for enterprises. It points out that such deployments involve high capital expenditure, not just on network equipment, but also on spectrum management, security systems, ongoing maintenance, and skilled manpower. 'Unlike TSPs, most enterprises do not have the expertise or scale to manage telecom infrastructure efficiently. What appears cheaper on paper could turn out to be more expensive and operationally burdensome in practice,' said S P Kochhar, Director General of COAI.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Direct spectrum allocation for enterprise 5G not tenable in India: Telcos
NEW DELHI: Indian telecom incumbents on Monday reiterated their stance that direct spectrum allocation to enterprises for setting up 5G captive non-public network (CNPN) is not tenable in the country due to revenue loss and potential national security aspects. They added that all enterprise 5G needs must be fulfilled by licensed telecom carriers via spectrum leasing or network slicing to ensure national security, revenue protection, and regulatory parity. The Cellular Operators Association of India ( COAI ), which represents Reliance Jio , Bharti Airtel , and Vodafone Idea (Vi), said it is misleading to state that setting up private networks independently would be cheaper for enterprises, given that such networks entail significant capital expenditure (capex), spectrum management, security, and skilled personnel. 'Unlike TSPs, most enterprises do not have the expertise or scale to manage telecom infrastructure efficiently. What appears cheaper on paper could turn out to be more expensive and operationally burdensome in practice,' said SP Kochhar, director-general, COAI. "COAI firmly believes that the private networks managed by unlicensed or foreign entities raise serious national security concerns as these players are not bound by the same compliance, interception and regulatory obligations as telecom service providers," Kochhar added. "Without robust domestic oversight, this could expose India to cybersecurity, surveillance and diplomatic risks and set a dangerous precedent of allowing private service delivery without appropriate safeguards, investments or responsibilities." His comments come after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) ordered a fresh study—three years after an initial one—to assess the demand potential for setting up private networks through spectrum given directly by the telecom department to enterprises. Back in 2022, more than 20 IT companies, including Infosys, Capgemini, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Communications, Tata Power, and Tejas Networks. However, the telecom department had later concluded that the device ecosystem was not yet ready to support the use case. The method for spectrum assignment for private 5G has been hanging in a limbo since then, with regulatory uncertainty impacting the uptake of fifth-generation among various enterprise verticals. The Broadband India Forum (BIF) had earlier drawn parallels with countries such as the US, Finland, Germany, the UK, and others, where private networks have been deployed by telcos. But COAI struck down this argument in its latest statement, reasoning that industries in these countries are located in remote or geographically secluded areas with limited public network coverage, which is not the case in India. 'In India, however, most industrial corridors and enterprise zones are already well-served by telecom operators, thereby leaving no coverage deficit,' Kochhar said. 'One must also consider the significant loss to the government exchequer in case of private networks as the national auction of spectrum generated ₹1.5 lakh crore in 2022 alone. Moreover, it would create an uneven playing field between TSPs and private entities who enjoy infrastructure benefits without comparable regulatory or financial obligations,' he said.
Time of India
06-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Telcos for SIM binding with OTT apps at all times to curb frauds
New Delhi: Top Indian telecom operators have suggested mandating the binding of over-the-top (OTT) communication applications with the verified mobile SIMs at all times to prevent cyber fraud and strengthen national security . The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), in a statement on Wednesday, said this approach would ensure consumer trust, accountability, traceability and alignment with existing regulatory frameworks. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program The association represents incumbent telcos Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kasarani: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo At present, the binding happens only once for verification of the user's mobile number while registering or signing up for application-based communication services. However, the application can continue to work independently on the device even if the SIM card is removed, replaced, or deactivated, which presents a potential security threat. "If the original SIM card is removed from the device and the device with the OTT communication app is used for a criminal activity from any geographic location, since no SIM is present during the crime, there is no verifiable link-such as call records, location data or carrier logs-to prove which device was used or where the activity occurred," said SP Kochhar, director-general, COAI. Live Events He added that this impedes the prevention of spam and cyber frauds, and could pose a major threat to national security. "We suggest that such OTT communication apps implement persistent SIM-binding that remains active beyond initial installation," Kochhar said, noting that this would ensure that the communication service cannot operate without the authenticated SIM physically inserted in the device, maintaining critical traceability between the user, the number and the device. Telcos said persistent SIM binding with OTT communication apps would also help establish a regulatory level playing field by ensuring that laws and compliance frameworks governing user identification, geographic accountability and lawful interception protocols apply equally to app-based communication services and telecom service providers. Previously, the COAI urged the government to bring communication apps under a regulatory regime, citing that telcos already have a regulatory mandate to ensure a transparent and safe communications ecosystem. The association underscored that telcos are proactively implementing caller name presentation (CNAP) and have deployed artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)-led solutions to prevent suspected spam via voice and SMS. Furthermore, it said that telcos, as per the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation (TCCCPR), 2018, are conducting checks on principal entity (PE) and telemarketer (TM) binding, A2P SMS header and content registration, and keyword-based content screening of messages transmitted, as well as enforcing distributed ledger technology (DLT)-based suffix rules for transparency. "However, fraudsters are increasingly adapting by shifting to OTT messaging platforms that are installed/used independent of SIM verification and are immune to telecom-level controls," said Kochhar.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
06-08-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
COAI seeks SIM-binding rule for WhatsApp, Telegram to curb cyber fraud
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has suggested that over-the-top (OTT) communication applications — such as WhatsApp and Telegram — should be 'mandated to bind' with a verified mobile SIM at all times. The move will help prevent cyber fraud and strengthen national security, said COAI. Currently, OTT communication apps are bound to users' devices only once, during the service registration process on the device. These apps continue to function even after the SIM card against which the account was registered is removed from the device, replaced or deactivated. 'It will also help establish a regulatory level-playing field by ensuring that laws and compliance frameworks governing user identification, geographic accountability and lawful interception protocols apply equally to app-based communication services and telecom service providers,' COAI director general S P Kocchar said. The industry body, which represents all three telecom operators — Reliance Jio Infocomm, Bharti Airtel, and Vi — said that a mandatory and persistent SIM-binding that remains active beyond initial installation will ensure that the communication service cannot operate without the authenticated SIM being physically inserted in the device. It will thereby maintain critical traceability between the user, the number and the device. COAI's demand to mandate the binding of communication apps to a single SIM comes at a time when there has been a rise in OTT app-based spam and fraud messages, as well as calls. The telecom industry body also said that India's mobile network operators are taking measures such as implementing caller name presentation, and checking principal entity-telemarketer binding. OTT communication apps, which are immune to telecom-level controls, are being used without any oversight, the body said. 'If the original SIM card is removed from the device and the device with the OTT communication app is used for a criminal activity from any geographic location, since no SIM is present during the crime, there is no verifiable link — such as call records, location data or carrier logs — to prove which device was used or where the activity occurred,' COAI said. Earlier this year, Bharti Airtel launched and deployed fraud and spam detection solutions across its network. These were aimed at protecting consumers from not only calls but also messages received on various OTT communication apps.
