Parliament Session: This new Bill seeks to replace 138-year-old Indian Act, know all about Telecommunications Bill 2023 | IN POINTS

Telecommunications Bill 2023: Telecommunications Bills or Acts are legislative measures enacted by governments to regulate and govern the telecommunications industry. These bills often cover a range of issues, including licensing, spectrum allocation, consumer protection, competition, and the overall framework for the telecommunications sector.

All about Telecommunications Bill 2023 IN POINTS 

• The Telecommunications Bill 2023 introduced by Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw amid sloganeering by opposition in the house.

• The Telecommunications Bill 2023 seeks to replace the 138-year-old Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950.

• The telecommunications sector is a key driver of economic and social development, is the gateway to digital services and the security of our country is vitally dependent on safety of telecommunication networks.

• The nature of telecommunication, its usage and underlying technologies have undergone massive changes, especially in the past decade. Therefore, there is a need for enacting a legislation for telecom sector that serves the needs of our society. 

• The Telecommunications Bill 2023 seeks to provide a framework for authorisation of telecommunication services, telecommunication networks, and possession of radio equipment; the assignment and efficient utilization of spectrum, including provisions for harmonisation and re-farming; development of new technologies and regulatory sandbox for innovation using spectrum.

• The Telecommunications Bill 2023  provides a framework for standards and conformity assessment of telecommunication equipment, telecommunication identifiers, telecommunication network and telecommunication services and provisions for national security, public emergency and public safety. 

• The Telecommunications Bill 2023  empowers the government to waive entry fees, license fees, penalties, etc., fostering competition within the telecom market and ensuring consumer welfare, the sustained availability of telecom networks, and the paramount interest of national security.