Telecom Act 2023 Based On Principles Of Inclusion, Growth, Responsiveness For Developed India

The Telecommunications Act 2023, set to be implemented partially from 26 June, is grounded in principles of inclusion, security, growth and responsiveness to realise the vision of a developed India, an official statement said on Saturday. The Telecommunications Act, 2023, was passed by Parliament in December 2023. It received the President's assent on 24 December 2023 and was notified on the same day.

“Guided by the principles of Samavesh (Inclusion), Suraksha (Security), Vriddhi (Growth) and Tvarit (Responsiveness), the Act aims to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India),” the statement said.

The rules that will be effective from 26 June will allow the government to take over the control and management of any or all telecommunication services or networks in the interest of national security, friendly relations with foreign states or in the event of war.

With these new rules in place, the universal service obligation fund will become the Digital Bharat Nidhi, which can be used for funding research and development and pilot projects, instead of merely supporting the establishment of telecom services in rural areas.

The new rules also include a mandate to protect users from spam and malicious communications.

"The Telecommunications Act, 2023 aims to amend and consolidate the law relating to the development, expansion and operation of telecommunication services and telecommunication networks; assignment of spectrum and for matters connected therewith.

"The Telecommunications Act, 2023 also seeks to repeal existing legislative frameworks like the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Indian Wireless Telegraph Act, 1933, owing to significant technical advancements in the telecom sector and technologies," the statement said.

The implementation of these sections paves the way for the enforcement of non-discriminatory and non-exclusive grants of right of way for telecom network roll-out and provides power to the central government to establish common ducts and cable corridors.