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Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Ensure sustainability of network investments: GSMA chief to regulators
NEW DELHI: Regulators worldwide should ensure a level-playing field and facilitate infrastructure deployment following concerns around sustainability of network investments in the wake of over-the-top (OTT) or mobile app-based services, a top GSMA executive said. 'There are growing concerns around the sustainability of network investment. Regulators should ensure a level playing field that encourages ongoing infrastructure development, while fostering innovation and consumer choice,' Vivek Badrinath , director-general, GSMA, told ETTelecom. In April this year, London-based GSMA appointed Badrinath to the top GSMA executive leadership role replacing Mats Granryd. WhatsApp , Messenger, Telegram, Viber and Google Talk are some of the leading mobile communication applications with operators demanding a 'fair share' from them for carrying data traffic on their networks. On the contrary, OTT providers argue that telcos should be the ones paying mobile app players for pushing data traffic onto their networks. More than 70% of the data traffic on telecom networks is being generated by OTT providers alone. Further, Badrinath said that a transparent, and future-ready regulatory framework would be essentially required, considering "fair contribution models" and shared responsibility for network resilience. 'We believe in a balanced and collaborative approach, OTT players and mobile operators both benefit from - and contribute to - the digital ecosystem,' the top GSMA executive added. Like other nations, India does not have a policy framework or regulatory regime for OTT platforms. The Delhi-based Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) that represents Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, said that since telecom service providers and OTT communication players offer same service, a level-playing field should be ensured with the former spending huge money in spectrum purchase and network deployment. India's telco group also advocated that players who are large traffic generators (LTG) must also pay a fair share to network service operators toward capital expenditure (capex) in putting up telecom infrastructure. In 2023, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) released a consultation paper seeking comments from stakeholders on the regulatory mechanism for a selective ban of OTT players. Incumbent telcos Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi) in a response to telecom watchdog, favoured a compensation model from mobile apps, for deploying and maintaining telecom networks by them that enables OTT platforms to offer seamless services to their subscribers. Earlier, head of Asia Pacific at GSMA Julian Gorman said that "a fair share contribution by tech companies or OTT players would bring motivation to investors." The mobile data traffic is expected to reach 415 million terabytes per month by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 19.8% from 2024 to 2030, according to a recent Research and Markets study. The finding by the Dublin-based research firm attributed escalating video streaming consumption and social media content in addition to next generation or 5G networks as key data traffic growth drivers worldwide. Early this year, the German market reserach firm Statista in a study said that the OTT video users are likely to reach 4.9 billion by 2029.
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Angara continues work as DepEd chief as opening of classes nears
A day after submitting his courtesy resignation, Education Secretary Sonny Angara continues to fulfill the duties of the chief of the Department of Education as the opening of classes nears. 'Tuloy tuloy lang po ang pagtatrabaho ng ating kalihim, full blast ang ating preparations para sa nalalapit na pagbubukas ng bagong school year natin in less than a month,' Angara's media relations officer Dennis Legaspi said in a Viber message to reporters on Friday. (Our secretary's work continues, our preparations are in full blast for the upcoming opening of our new school year in less than a month.) According to Legaspi, Angara will join President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. in Laoag, Ilocos Norte on Saturday for the opening of the annual Palarong Pambansa. Asked if DepEd will continue with its programs despite the courtesy resignation ordered by the President, Legaspi answered in the affirmative. 'Yes po. Habang wala pa namang aksyon ang Malacañang sa courtesy resignation na ipinasa kahapon, tuloy tuloy po ang lahat ng programa ng DepEd,' he said. (While Malacañang has not yet taken action on the courtesy resignation that was submitted yesterday, all DepEd programs will continue.) On Thursday, Marcos called on his Cabinet members to submit their courtesy resignation, which Angara adhered to. The Education Department has set the opening of classes for public schools on June 16. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT to probe alleged ‘overstaying' 400 Chinese working for DITO
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is launching an investigation into the alleged 400 Chinese working for DITO Telecommunity Corp. without the necessary working visas. DICT spokesperson Assistant Secretary Renato 'Aboy' Paraiso admitted that the agency has 'no visibility on that particular issue' until columnist Ramon Tulfo posted on Facebook his claim that DITO Tel was allegedly employing Chinese nationals who 'have over-extended their tourist visas.' 'Now that we have [knowledge] we will investigate… The DICT-CICC (Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center) will formally do an investigation,' Paraiso said. The post said the 400 allegedly 'overstaying' Chinese might be endangering our national security as they work for a telecom company.' Paraiso said the DICT would reach out to the Bureau of Immigration 'because the first allegation is the over[staying] visas.' '[But] since this is a telco that we are talking about, our attached agency which is the NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) would also be an active partner in this investigation,' he said. The DICT official said the investigation, to be led by CICC and NTC, 'would investigate as far as our ICT infrastructure and systems are being used illegally by overstaying foreigners.' GMA News Online reached out to DITO Tel through its Viber media group. In response, the telco's media communications team said, 'discussing internally and we will get back to you.' DITO Tel is 60% owned by DITO CME Holdings Corp., a unit of Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy's conglomerate Udenna Group, while the remaining 40% is owned by state-owned China Telecommunications Corp. DITO Tel, dubbed as the 'third telco' or new major player in the country's telecommunications space to disrupt the so-called duopoly of Globe and PLDT-Smart, has grown its subscriber base to 14 million as of end 2024 since its commercial launch in March 2021. –NB, GMA Integrated News
IOL News
19-05-2025
- IOL News
Kraaifontein man jailed for 12 years for child pornography and firearm offences
Corne van Rooyen was sentenced to 12 years' direct imprisonment by the Bluedowns Regional Court after pleading guilty to possession and distribution of child pornography. A Kraaifontein man who downloaded and distributed hundreds of images and videos of child pornography, while also being in unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition, and protected species, has been sentenced to 12 years' direct imprisonment by the Bluedowns Regional Court. Corne van Rooyen pleaded guilty to 10 serious offences, including the possession and distribution of child pornography, illegal firearm and ammunition possession, animal cruelty, and contravening environmental protection laws. His sentencing on Monday comes after a plea and sentencing agreement with the State. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that Van Rooyen used the Viber mobile application, under the username 'COME,' to share child pornography with other users. 'He downloaded 453 images and videos of child pornography to store on his cell phone and other devices,' said Ntabazalila. 'When online, he broadcast his collection of child pornography to other users.'
IOL News
19-05-2025
- IOL News
Cape Town man sentenced to 12 years for possession and distribution of child pornography
Corne van Rooyen was sentenced to 12 years' direct imprisonment by the Bluedowns Regional Court after pleading guilty to possession and distribution of child pornography. A Kraaifontein man who downloaded and distributed hundreds of images and videos of child pornography, while also being in unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition, and protected species, has been sentenced to 12 years' direct imprisonment by the Bluedowns Regional Court. Corne van Rooyen pleaded guilty to ten serious offences, including the possession and distribution of child pornography, illegal firearm and ammunition possession, animal cruelty, and contravening environmental protection laws. His sentencing on Monday comes after a plea and sentencing agreement with the State. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that Van Rooyen used the Viber mobile application, under the username 'COME,' to share child pornography with other users. 'He downloaded 453 images and videos of child pornography to store on his cell phone and other devices,' said Ntabazalila. 'When online, he broadcast his collection of child pornography to other users.'
