The Telecommunications Bill 2023 aims to replace the 138-year-old Indian Telegraph Act that governs the telecom sector.
Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw introduced the Telecommunications Bill, 2023.
The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, was tabled on Monday, 18 December, amidst the Opposition protests in the Lok Sabha seeking a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the security breach in Parliament.
Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw introduced the Telecommunications Bill amid the din.
The Bill 2023 aims to replace the 138-year-old Indian Telegraph Act that governs the telecom sector. The Cabinet had cleared it in August.
The draft Telecommunications Bill released in 2023 proposed to bring over-the-top or internet-based calling and messaging apps under the definition of telecommunications to enhance users’ safety.
The Bill also proposed to curb the power of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), on which industry players had raised concerns.
According to government officials, the issues around over-the-top players and TRAI were resolved before the Cabinet cleared the Bill.
The draft also proposed to ease some of the rules like a refund of fees for licence and registration in case a company surrendered its permit.
The new Bill proposes the government be vested with the power to waive entry fees, licence fees, penalties etc in the interest of consumers, ensuring competition in the market, availability or continuity of telecom networks, and national security.
(With PTI inputs)
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