The Telecommunications Bill 2023 swiftly made its way through the Rajya Sabha on Thursday via a voice vote, following its recent passage in the Lok Sabha.
Reported by TechCrunch, the new legislation introduces a significant change permitting spectrum allocation for satellite-based services without the requirement for auctions. This strategic move aims to support entities like OneWeb, Elon Musk's Starlink, and Amazon's Kuiper, all eager to introduce satellite broadband services in the largest country globally. These companies have long advocated for an administrative allocation process over spectrum auctions.
This bill marks a departure from regulations dating back to the telegraph era of 1885, granting the government authority to oversee and manage telecommunications services and networks. Additionally, it empowers the government to monitor traffic data in the interest of national security, while also upholding provisions for communication interception.
Championed by Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the bill prioritizes the establishment of robust telecom networks. It includes a comprehensive chapter on Right of Way (RoW), ensuring equitable RoW allocation and specifying that this network won't be subject to taxation, levies, cess, fees, or duties on the property.
The bill further addresses security concerns by mandating biometric authentication for customers and imposing limits on the number of SIM cards a subscriber can possess. To deter malpractices, civil penalties of up to $12,000 for breaching specified sections and a substantial sum of up to $6,00,400 for violating defined terms and conditions within the law are outlined.
(With Agency Inputs)
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