Update: An August 20th story by PTI indicates that the consultation paper will be released. Further discredits the ET story. We haven't heard back from TRAI yet. (hat tip: Amlan Mohanty) Yesterday: Over the past few days, we've received mails and messages from our readers, inquiring about why we haven't written about the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India reportedly deciding to shelve plans for a Consultation Paper on a regulatory framework for Internet Services in India. The consultation would look into a situation where Internet service providers will have to pay telecom operators for being made available to consumers. There is a paper from the Cellular Operators Association of India doing the rounds, which is apparently private. There are two contradictory newspaper reports on this apparent planning to shelve the consultation paper: 1. On August 18th 2014, the Indian Express quoted the TRAI Chairman as saying that a consultation paper is being planned: However, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has conceded to a “consultation paper” on regulating apps. “The consultation paper will test the ground to see how grave the problem is,” Khullar said, adding that it will only be released after preliminary discussions with all stakeholders. He also acknowledged that telcos have a “valid” concern regarding loss of revenue. 2. On August 19th, the Economic Times quoted an unnamed TRAI official as saying that: '"There is no proposal for a consultation paper (on regulating companies offering free messaging and calling services)," he added.' Since some of you (our readers) asked:…
