OSFON advises Telcos against proposed OTT blocking
The Open Source Foundation for Nigeria (OSFON) has advised Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the country to look elsewhere in effort to balance their books, instead of planning how to block Nigerian telecom consumers from usage of Over-The Top (OTT) platforms.
OTT is one of the value added services (VAS) accessible over a given network service provider. OTT includes audio, video, and other media content delivered over the Internet without the involvement of a multiple-system operator (MSO) in the control or distribution of the content, which include WhatsApp, Skype and other Instant Messaging services as well as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
OTT refers to content from a third party that is delivered to an end-user, with the Internet Service Provider (ISP) basically transporting Internet Protocol (IP) packets.
Commenting on this development, Mr. Dele Ajisomo, national president OSFON on behalf of the group called for caution, adding that the news reports that MNOs are lobbying the government through the regulator the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in efforts to block the usage of OTT platforms among Nigerians, negates the values embedded in openness of technologies which paves the way for network neutrality.
The principle of network neutrality, according to him, is that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favouring or blocking particular products or websites.
OSFON underscored that OTT cannot work comfortably without data, which are sold by the Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and urged MNOs to be innovative and not limit their service offerings to data alone.
The group explained that the issue involves open and free Internet, freedom of the Internet, freedom of speech and information, in addition to access to free and open source technologies and/or software among others.
The MNOs, OSFON said, should devise other ways to balance their books and not by restricting Nigerians and their freedom to open, affordable and innovative technologies.
OSFON noted that access to the Internet is a human right and Nigerians will contest to keep this access, stressing that “It is actually inhumane for the MNOs to suggest blocking subscribers from any free and open technical and innovative products on the Internet.”
Commenting about the regulators and Nigeria Government on the issue, OSFON said, it is an unthinkable idea, because for some Nigerians “it’s the only means of communication with their loved ones.”
“OTT is the only way to communicate to their old age parents in the village. Nigerians in the diaspora also depend on Skype and WhatsApp to talk or see their families in Nigeria,” OSFON president added.
