Telecom Bill 2023: 5 things you should know about it

The Telecommunications Bill 2023 was passed in the Lok Sabha of the Parliament yesterday, during the ongoing Winter Session. The bill was tabled by Union Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw and plans to act as a replacement to the existing Indian Telegraph Act of 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1993, and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act of 1950. 

The bill has been the talk of the media, even before it was passed. Let’s see what this bill is all about as I tell you five key things that you should know about this bill.

Boosting telecom infrastructure

Firstly, once the bill becomes law, it will aim to speed up and enhance the telecom infrastructure in India, particularly for 5G. For this, the bill suggests reforms that should be implemented. The measures for the same also include exempting the telecom networks installed on any property from claims, liquidation, or similar issues related to that property.

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Safeguarding public interest

The Telecommunications Bill 2023 also gives the government the power to make rules in the interest of the public to safeguard them from any mishaps when it comes to cybersecurity in telecommunication networks and services. This can be done in the interest of national security, public interest, or even in case of an emergency.

Press freedom protection

The bill also has a provision that prohibits the press messages that come from correspondents of the Centre of the state governments from being intercepted or detained. This will remain so unless the same has been prohibited under rules of public emergency, public order, etc.

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Tackling Spam Calls

Next, the bill also addresses the spam calls issue. To protect consumers from spam calls and messages, the bill aims to give the legal mandate to the registration of “Do Not Disturb” or DND. 

Telecom spectrum allocation

Lastly, once the bill becomes a law, the Central Government shall hold auctions to assign spectrum for telecommunications. The exception is that the entries listed in the First Schedule will be assigned the same through the administrative process.