The Central government has notified that certain provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 shall come into force from June 26, 2024..A notification to this effect was published in the Gazette of India by the Union Ministry of Communications on June 21. "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 1 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (44 of 2023), the Central Government hereby appoints the 26th Day of June 2024, as the date on which the provisions of sections 1, 2, 10 to 30, 42 to 44, 46, 47, 50 to 58, 61 and 62 of the said Act shall come into force.".On December 24 last year, President of India Droupadi Murmu had given her assent to the Telecommunications Act, 2023 after it was passed by both houses of Parliament.The 2023 Act aims to amend and consolidate the law relating to development, expansion and operation of telecommunication services and telecommunication networks, assignment of spectrum and connected matters.It replaces the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933 and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act of 1950..One provision mandates entities to conduct biometric authentication of their users to combat fraud. However, this particular measure has sparked concerns regarding user privacy.Further, the Act retains provisions from the Telegraph Act related to interception or surveillance of telecommunications. It grants the Union government the authority to assume control of a telecom network in the event of a public emergency or safety concerns. The Act provides that any message or class of messages between two or more persons may be intercepted, monitored, or blocked on specified grounds. Such grounds include: (i) the interest of the security of the state, (ii) friendly relations with other countries, (iii) public order, or (iv) prevention of incitement of offences.Telecommunication services, as defined under the Act, may cover internet-based services..The Act aims to overhaul the existing licensing regime for telecom networks, transitioning from the current system to an authorisation framework. Under the present arrangement, the telecom department issues over 100 types of licenses, registrations and permissions. The Act aims to streamline this process by consolidating many of these into a single authorisation mechanism.Moreover, the Act empowers the government to reclaim spectrum that remains unused. It also introduces provisions for sharing, trading and leasing of spectrum. Entities will now have the option to surrender unused spectrum although they won't receive compensation from the government for the same..[Read Notification]
The Central government has notified that certain provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 shall come into force from June 26, 2024..A notification to this effect was published in the Gazette of India by the Union Ministry of Communications on June 21. "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 1 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (44 of 2023), the Central Government hereby appoints the 26th Day of June 2024, as the date on which the provisions of sections 1, 2, 10 to 30, 42 to 44, 46, 47, 50 to 58, 61 and 62 of the said Act shall come into force.".On December 24 last year, President of India Droupadi Murmu had given her assent to the Telecommunications Act, 2023 after it was passed by both houses of Parliament.The 2023 Act aims to amend and consolidate the law relating to development, expansion and operation of telecommunication services and telecommunication networks, assignment of spectrum and connected matters.It replaces the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933 and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act of 1950..One provision mandates entities to conduct biometric authentication of their users to combat fraud. However, this particular measure has sparked concerns regarding user privacy.Further, the Act retains provisions from the Telegraph Act related to interception or surveillance of telecommunications. It grants the Union government the authority to assume control of a telecom network in the event of a public emergency or safety concerns. The Act provides that any message or class of messages between two or more persons may be intercepted, monitored, or blocked on specified grounds. Such grounds include: (i) the interest of the security of the state, (ii) friendly relations with other countries, (iii) public order, or (iv) prevention of incitement of offences.Telecommunication services, as defined under the Act, may cover internet-based services..The Act aims to overhaul the existing licensing regime for telecom networks, transitioning from the current system to an authorisation framework. Under the present arrangement, the telecom department issues over 100 types of licenses, registrations and permissions. The Act aims to streamline this process by consolidating many of these into a single authorisation mechanism.Moreover, the Act empowers the government to reclaim spectrum that remains unused. It also introduces provisions for sharing, trading and leasing of spectrum. Entities will now have the option to surrender unused spectrum although they won't receive compensation from the government for the same..[Read Notification]
