Lok Sabha approves Telecom Bill 2023; Here are 10 essential details to be aware of

The Telecom Bill 2023, also known as the Indian Telecommunications Bill 2023, has been introduced by Union Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw and has been approved by the Lok Sabha. This bill aims to replace current regulations and was presented and approved during the Winter Session of Parliament. It is intended to replace three existing Acts: the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933, and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act of 1950. The bill grants the government increased authority over telecom services in order to safeguard national security. Let’s examine the key features of the bill and its potential impact on the telecom industry in the future.

Indian Telecom Bill 2023: Highlights

1. The goal of the new bill is to speed up the introduction of telecommunications infrastructure, especially with regard to 5G, by implementing reforms. The proposed measures include the exemption of telecommunications networks installed on any property from claims, encumbrances, liquidation or similar issues related to the property.

2. The bill empowers the government to establish rules to protect and guarantee the cyber security of telecommunications networks and services for reasons of national security, emergency or public interest.

3. The law also applies to spam calls. According to the bill, the registration of “Do Not Disturb” or DND will be legally mandated, ensuring protection of consumers from unwanted calls, messages, etc.

4. According to the Bill, press messages of correspondents accredited to the Center or the State Governments shall not be intercepted or detained unless their transmission is prohibited under the rules applicable to public emergency, public order etc.

5. According to the bill, the central administration assigns frequencies for telecommunications by auction, except for the entries listed in the first list, the allocation of which must be done through an administrative procedure.

6. The bill also provides for protective measures for the telecommunications infrastructure and strengthens the smooth deployment of networks, especially fiber optic cables.

7. The draft law provides for the termination of frequency allocation if the government determines that the assigned frequency has remained unused without sufficient reason.

8. The Government has proposed a ceiling of Rs. 5 billion from the penalties imposed on telecom operators, which was Rs. 50 crore earlier per circle, which translates into a maximum penalty of around Rs. 1100 million for the telecom company.

9. The bill obliges companies to issue SIM cards after recording verifiable biometric data of the applicant in order to prevent misuse of telecommunication resources.

10. If a dispute arises between a user and an authorized entity providing telecom services, the central government has proposed to establish “one or more” online dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve the issue.