The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) aims to notify the rules under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, within 100 days of the new government assuming office. “We plan to notify rules under various sections of the Telecommunications Act by September 15. The rules will streamline the regulatory framework and ensure compliance,” a source told. This notification is a key target of DoT’s 100-day agenda, addressing spectrum allotment, including satellite communications, call and message interception, and biometric data collection, all of which require well-defined processes.
A significant aspect is the mandatory biometric identification of users under the Act. Experts emphasize that the rules must clearly specify details to prevent the misuse of customer data, given that multiple intermediaries may handle and process such sensitive information.
“About 35-37 rules need to be defined for the Act. It is a mammoth task as rules need to be defined while considering technological changes,” an official stated. The rules will outline modalities around spectrum pricing for administrative allocation to services like satellite communications, a sensitive and critical issue. The DoT is likely to seek inputs from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regarding satellite spectrum after consulting various stakeholders.
According to government officials, spectrum allotted administratively for satellite services is intended only for point-to-point connections, not for direct transmission to retail consumers. The rules are expected to define precise conditions for satellite spectrum usage. Companies such as Eutelsat OneWeb, Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, and Reliance Jio Satellite are to receive spectrum administratively as part of their global mobile personal communication by satellite services licenses. Another official mentioned that the initial set of rules might not cover all sections of the Act, as some rules may require more time to be finalized.
