INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
German authorities want mobile instant messaging and email service providers to be regulated to the same degree as telecommunications
companies.The Bundesnetzagentur, or Federal Network Agency, argues that the lines between over the top (OTT) services like Gmail and
WhatsApp and traditional call and text applications have become blurred to the point that many consumers might not notice the difference.It
is currently locked in a legal battle with Google, with the agency believing that Gmail should be registered as a telco service
This would mean additional obligations, such as making data available to law enforcement agencies.German OTT regulationThe case is currently
with the European Court of Justice and the head of the agency told the FT that if it is victorious, there could be a wider clampdown on tech
Bundesnetzagentur, told the newspaper in an interview.The comments will be music to the ears of mobile and broadband providers
For years, the telecoms industry has complained about over the top (OTT) applications such as WhatsApp and Skype encroaching on their
territory, yet not being subject to the same stringent regulations that operators are.Telcos argue that this results in an uneven playing
field at a time when intense competition and shrinking traditional revenues are affecting balance sheets.In the UK, the average monthly
amount spent on mobile services is falling
In 2016, 89 billion SMS messages were sent but this is set to fall to 64 billion in 2018
In 2020, the figure is expected to be 40 billion.
