In what is the most significant set of recommendations for the Mobile VAS and mobile content ecosystem yet, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has published a set of draft recommendations that favour transparency and fair-play and, as a consequence - the consumers. A detailed look at the draft recommendations, implications and issues: Key among the recommendations is the concept of "Other Service Provider" for value added services that exist off-deck - and operate outside of the mobile operators WAP site, SMS Consumer Services. These include services provided by Indiatimes 58888, STAR 57827, MyToday, SMS GupShup, Mobile gaming services like GreyStripe and Hovr, and indeed, the open web. OSPs will not be licensed, but will have to register. Some Conditions for OSP registration A Company may apply for more than one registration, which is location specific. No licence fee is…
