Instant messaging platform WhatsApp is used by a large number of people. In India itself, the number of active users is more than 400 million.
What if from tomorrow you have to pay for using WhatsApp? This speculation is being made after the draft of the new telecom bill. The government has prepared the draft of the Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022.
The draft of the bill is available for all on the website of DoT. Along with this, the department has also sought the suggestions of the industry on the bill. If the bill is passed, the Department of Telecommunications will follow it. Many new things have been included in the draft of the Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022.
According to this, calling and messaging service apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom, Telegram and Google Duo will now have to be licensed. To operate in India, they will need a license like telecom companies. At the same time, OTT platforms have also been included in the new telecommunication bill.
Since then there are speculations that people will have to pay fees for WhatsApp Calling and other apps. Because these apps now need a license for operation. However, there is no information on how to get this license and how much money will be spent on other apps including WhatsApp.
The government has also added some provisions regarding license fees in this bill. Under this, the government has the right to waive the license fee partially or completely. Along with this, the provision of a refund has also been added. If a telecom or internet provider surrenders his license, he can get a refund.
Anyway, we have to pay a charge for calling on WhatsApp or other apps. We pay this charge as data cost, but nothing can be said about what will happen after the license fee.
It is possible that companies may start charging a fee on their platform or you may have to take membership to use some services. Apart from this, companies can also give you free service through ads. At present, the government has sought people’s suggestions on the draft bill till October 20. Only after this, any situation will be clear on this.
Under the new bill, all telecommunication service providers will have to take a license and they will have to follow the rules of the telecom operator. Telecom operators were demanding this for the last several years. Apart from this, if a telecom company goes bankrupt, then the control of its given spectrum will be with the government.
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