If you're addicted to social media apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, WeChat, Hike etc, there's worrying news from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Why? Because you may be spending an extra amount to be able to use these services on your smartphones and tablets. Here's explaining how. TRAI is looking at whether there should be regulatory framework for Over-the-top (OTT) players such as the ones mentioned above and has released a paper on the same.

TRAI's Logic

TRAI said that telecom service providers (TSPs) are offering services but getting overwhelmed by OTT players. Also that TSPs get revenue from increased data usage but not from any other source.

Also OTTs use the infrastructure set up by TSP's to reach their customers. This not only makes money for them but also competes with the traditional services offered by TSPs, according to the TRAI paper.

Online debate

Heated debates on this issue have now reached social media platforms and are carried forward by Internet crusaders. An online petition on change.org that has received more than 75,000 signatures urges TRAI to allow users to choose how they wish to treat the Internet. TRAI has sought the views of people interest in this issue by April 24 and counter comments by May 8.

If you do not wish to pay the telecom companies for the apps and sites you access for free, you may want to sign this petition.