Pubic Data Office Aggregator (PDOA) should be allowed to resell internet services through yesteryear PCO type of set-up that will be called Public Data Offices.
Telecom operators need to support roll-out of public Wi-Fi hotspots to gain edge in technology space, Niti Aayog’s special secretary Yaduvendra Mathur said on Friday.
To push proliferation of Wi-Fi hotspots, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had recommended that a new set of players to be called Pubic Data Office Aggregator (PDOA) should be allowed to resell internet services through yesteryear PCO type of set-up that will be called Public Data Offices.
TRAI’s recommendation was based on existing rules for cyber cafes. However, telecom operators opposed the public Wi-Fi model recommended by TRAI, saying it will adversely impact debt ridden industry and compromise national security.
OTT – The next game changer
Mathur said that democratisation of Wi-Fi hotspot is required in the country and called for creation of National Trust Registry for IoT devices so that they can operate on network of all telecom operators smoothly. Talking about over-the-top (OTT) players, he said there is much that both OTTs and TSPs have to gain from each other.
Broadband India Forum President T V Ramachandran said just as mobile transformed India, OTT is the next dimension of change. He said that TSPs must be provided relief from excessive levies and taxes to ensure that they are healthy.
