Zoom gets pan-India telecom licence

Zoom Video Communications (ZVC), the US-based web conferencing company, has acquired a pan-India telecom licence that will allow it to offer telephone services in addition to its existing web conferencing solutions to enterprise customers in India. With this new licence, Zoom can now offer its cloud-based private branch exchange (PBX) service, Zoom Phone, to multinational corporations and businesses operating in India. Zoom partners with international telecommunication providers and offers phone numbers and calling plans in 47 countries and territories, which are bundled with the cloud PBX service.

 

PBX is a local telephone exchange that helps enterprises manage conference call services, allowing them to easily manage large-scale audio and video calls with multiple participants. This new license will enable Zoom to compete with other industry giants like Microsoft and Cisco, who also offer similar solutions.

 

Last year, the Department of Telecom (DoT) had asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to prepare a framework for regulating platforms offering internet calling and messaging services in India. Additionally, the draft Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022, proposed that Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms that offer telecom services should obtain a licence just like traditional telecom operators. 

 

Zoom has also been expanding its footprint in India by opening two technology centers in Bengaluru and Chennai. These centers will help Zoom tap into India's rich talent pool and enable the company to provide even better support and services to its Indian customers. Since its launch in 2013, Zoom has seen a phenomenal rise in its usage, particularly in the last few years. Its popularity has been driven by its ease-of-use, scalability, and its ability to connect people from all over the world, regardless of geographical boundaries.

 

Zoom's acquisition of a pan-India telecom licence is a significant development for the company and its customers in India. It not only enables Zoom to expand its services but also puts it in a position to compete with other industry giants.