- December 18, 2023
New Telecom Bill will allow Centre to take over, suspend mobile network for public safety | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: Union communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday introduced the Telecommunications Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha.
The bill seeks to replace the 138-year-old Indian Telegraph Act that governs the telecom sector. The Cabinet had cleared the bill in August.
Here’s what the bill proposes:
* The draft Telecommunications Bill has been introduced to create a legal and regulatory framework that focuses on safe and secure telecommunication network that provides for digitally inclusive growth.
* The bill proposes to bring over-the-top or the internet based calling and messaging apps under the definition of telecommunications to enhance users’ safety.
* The proposed law will allow the central government to take control of, manage or suspend any telecommunication services, networks, or their components linked to such services in the event of a public emergency.
* It also proposes the government to be vested with the power to waive entry fees, licence fee, penalty etc in the interest of consumers, ensuring competition in the market, availability or continuity of telecom networks
* The bill also proposes to curb the power of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), on which industry players had raised concerns.
* It seeks to ease some of the rules like refund of fees for licence, registration etc, in case a company surrenders its permit.
* It provides for a framework for developing and maintaining telecom networks through right of way provisions and establishment of common ducts.
(With inputs from agencies)
The bill seeks to replace the 138-year-old Indian Telegraph Act that governs the telecom sector. The Cabinet had cleared the bill in August.
Here’s what the bill proposes:
* The draft Telecommunications Bill has been introduced to create a legal and regulatory framework that focuses on safe and secure telecommunication network that provides for digitally inclusive growth.
* The bill proposes to bring over-the-top or the internet based calling and messaging apps under the definition of telecommunications to enhance users’ safety.
* The proposed law will allow the central government to take control of, manage or suspend any telecommunication services, networks, or their components linked to such services in the event of a public emergency.
* It also proposes the government to be vested with the power to waive entry fees, licence fee, penalty etc in the interest of consumers, ensuring competition in the market, availability or continuity of telecom networks
* The bill also proposes to curb the power of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), on which industry players had raised concerns.
* It seeks to ease some of the rules like refund of fees for licence, registration etc, in case a company surrenders its permit.
* It provides for a framework for developing and maintaining telecom networks through right of way provisions and establishment of common ducts.
(With inputs from agencies)
