The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is actively developing over 30 rules in line with the recently enacted Telecommunications Act, set for implementation in the coming months. Officials familiar with the matter revealed that these rules will cover aspects such as spectrum allotment, call interception, and biometric data collection, necessitating the establishment of defined processes. An official stated that the DoT aims to notify these rules within the next few months, with a focus on defining spectrum pricing for administrative allocation to services like satellite communication, establishing lawful interception mechanisms for carriers, and outlining conditions for spectrum trading, sharing, and surrender.
While the department is working towards presenting these rules in the budget session of Parliament, an alternative timeline is being considered post the Lok Sabha elections if necessary. The DoT is yet to decide on conducting stakeholder consultations regarding the proposed rules. An official mentioned that since the new Act underwent extensive stakeholder consultation during its notification, further consultations for rule implementation will be assessed based on need.
Given that these rules will be introduced in the Parliament, potential objections from members will be monitored. The recent Act’s notification led to the repeal of three old laws governing the telecom sector—Indian Telegraph Act, 1885; Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933; and Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950—prompting the need to redefine virtually every rule in the sector. An industry executive highlighted the importance of determining modalities for the administrative allocation of satellite spectrum, including considerations like charges and involvement of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) in pricing and other modalities.
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Government officials clarified that administratively allotted spectrum for satellite services is specifically intended for point-to-point connections and not direct transmission of services to retail consumers. The forthcoming rules are anticipated to outline the precise conditions for satellite spectrum usage. Noteworthy companies like Bharti Oneweb, Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, and Reliance Jio Satellite are expected to receive spectrum administratively as part of their global mobile personal communication by satellite services licenses.
