Learn about the main aspects of the Telecom Bill 2023 that the government has introduced in the Lok Sabha

 Learn about the main aspects of the Telecom Bill 2023 that the government has introduced in the Lok Sabha

Learn about the main aspects of the Telecom Bill 2023 that the government has introduced in the Lok Sabha

The regulation of OTT communication applications may be excluded from the bill's purview in its final form.

In August, the Union Cabinet gave its approval to the Telecom Bill 2023.

The Indian Telegraph Act, which has controlled the telecom industry for more than 138 years, is to be replaced by the Telecom Bill 2023, which the government plans to propose in the Lok Sabha on December 18.

Over-the-top (OTT) communication app regulation is probably going to be removed from the Bill's final form. Since OTT now ostensibly comes within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), it has been eliminated from the Bill in order to prevent any conflicts.

The Bill also leaves the definition of communications services open-ended. The final version defines "telecommunications service" as any kind of telecommunications service.

Major modifications that have been suggested include:

addressing the issues brought up by industry participants in order to limit the authority of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

-Garnishing certain regulations, such the one that says a corporation losing its permission will not be charged for its license or registration.

-In cases of national security, the government may prohibit or limit the use of telecommunications equipment from any person or from any country that has been informed. -Only reputable vendors should be used to obtain telecom equipment.

-Suggests that in order to receive some communications, including promotions and ads, prior permission should be obtained.

The Indian Telegraph Act of 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933, and the Telegraph Wire (Unlawful Possession) Act of 1950 may be superseded by this bill.

- There will also be major adjustments made to how spectrum is allotted for satellite broadband services.

- Unauthorized access to a telecom network, including hacking or acquiring data unlawfully, carries a maximum three-year jail sentence and a maximum Rs. two crore fine. The punishment for obtaining customer identification modules illegally is the same as well as a Rs 50 lakh fine.

A bill to rename the Universal Service Obligation Fund as the Digital India Fund has been proposed.

In August 2023, the Union Cabinet gave its approval to the Telecom Bill 2023. The Bill was then introduced in the Lok Sabha after the President of India was notified about it.

Over a year ago, this law was originally proposed. The definition of telecommunication services was suggested to be expanded to include services like Telegram, Signal, and WhatsApp in the 2022 edition.