Airtel To Charge Distinctly For VoIP Calls - Now Pay Extra For Skype Or Viber
@jason-IQjfPQ
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Oct 9, 2024
Oct 9, 2024
1.4K
Indian telecommunications MNC, Bharti Airtel has decided to apply separate charges for voice over internet protocol (VoIP) calls. As evident in the fine print in the terms and conditions, Airtel has mentioned that the data packs are applicable only to internet browsing and not the VoIP calls. The condition states that the VoIP calls will be charged separately at the mentioned data rates. In India, it is the first time that any network provider is charging independently for VoIP calls.
Some time ago, Airtel and various other operator networks had complained that the over-the-top (OTT) players like WhatsApp, Viber, and WeChat etc. have been generating revenues by operating on these networks and were not sharing their profits. The suggestion by these networks to charge the OTT was rejected by TRAI. The move by Airtel for charging for VoIP calls has come shortly post the rejection of the proposition as the OTT do not consume much data for instant messaging (IM) and work well on 2G too but the calls over IP consume a large amount of data.
Arguably however, this step by Airtel is not a very good move. The customers who use the VoIP features on a regular basis will find it infuriating that Airtel has started charging extra even though no other network does so. It will be easier for the user to move to a different network then to pay more. Also, WhatsApp, the most popular IM app recently <a href="https://www.crazyengineers.com/threads/whatsapp-voice-calling-feature-images-leaked-might-arrive-soon-enough.77862">WhatsApp Voice Calling Feature Images Leaked; Might Arrive Soon Enough</a> that they will start offering voice calls in a few months.
According to the official statement by Airtel, they are saying that they are making some revisions in their data packs and now will offer VoIP through a separate independent pack which will be launched shortly. By the time the pack is launched, the customers will have to use the pay-as-you-go feature of VoIP.
Source: #-Link-Snipped-#
Some time ago, Airtel and various other operator networks had complained that the over-the-top (OTT) players like WhatsApp, Viber, and WeChat etc. have been generating revenues by operating on these networks and were not sharing their profits. The suggestion by these networks to charge the OTT was rejected by TRAI. The move by Airtel for charging for VoIP calls has come shortly post the rejection of the proposition as the OTT do not consume much data for instant messaging (IM) and work well on 2G too but the calls over IP consume a large amount of data.
Arguably however, this step by Airtel is not a very good move. The customers who use the VoIP features on a regular basis will find it infuriating that Airtel has started charging extra even though no other network does so. It will be easier for the user to move to a different network then to pay more. Also, WhatsApp, the most popular IM app recently <a href="https://www.crazyengineers.com/threads/whatsapp-voice-calling-feature-images-leaked-might-arrive-soon-enough.77862">WhatsApp Voice Calling Feature Images Leaked; Might Arrive Soon Enough</a> that they will start offering voice calls in a few months.
According to the official statement by Airtel, they are saying that they are making some revisions in their data packs and now will offer VoIP through a separate independent pack which will be launched shortly. By the time the pack is launched, the customers will have to use the pay-as-you-go feature of VoIP.
Source: #-Link-Snipped-#
