The Telecommunications Authority of India (TRAI) has invited comments on a consultation paper that aims to provide a framework for registration of an industry body for cloud service providers (CSP). The paper cover issues such as eligibility criteria for registration, obligations, membership policy and other policy issues related to the governance structure of cloud service provider’s industry body. Comments can be sent till November 20 and counter comments till December 4 at advqos@trai.gov.in . Where this consultation paper came from? TRAI had issued recommendations on ‘Cloud services’ in August 2017 which were adopted by the government in September 2018. These recommendations covered subjects such as legal and regulatory framework for cloud services, a comprehensive legal framework for data protection, interoperability, and portability, a legal framework for CSPs operating in multiple jurisdictions, cost-benefit analysis, etc. In September 2018, the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) had sought additional recommendation from TRAI on terms and conditions of industry body, eligibility, entry fee, period of registration and governance structure. This consultation paper is a response to DoT’s request from TRAI. What the TRAI is seeking views on? TRAI is seeking comments for the following issues: 1. Whether there should be a single industry body or more, for cloud service providers? The paper seeks views on whether there should be a single industry body or multiple industry bodies for cloud service providers which may be registered with DoT. It further asked whether there should be capping on multiple industries' bodies or not. However, it recommends that too…
