Using this approach to spectrum allocation, without relying on auctions, is anticipated to expedite the rollout of their services.
The Telecommunications Bill 2023 is expected to be presented in the Lok Sabha on Monday by the government.
The Indian Telecommunication Bill 2023, set to be presented in Parliament on Monday, brings about notable modifications in the distribution of spectrum for satellite broadband services, according to insiders.
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The bill’s provision for the administrative allocation of spectrum under the GMPCS license is anticipated to particularly benefit companies like Bharti’s OneWeb, Reliance’s Jio Satellite Communications, Elon Musk’s Starlink, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper. This method of spectrum allocation, bypassing auctions, is expected to expedite the launch of their services.
The bill delineates various entities, including teleports, TV channels, DTH, and mobile satellite services in L and S bands, among others, for spectrum allocation outside of auctions. It also encompasses provisions for in-flight and maritime connectivity services, as per sources.
One significant change in the final bill is the absence of regulations concerning the powers of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, which was present in the draft version.
Moreover, the bill eliminates the contentious aspect of regulating OTT (over-the-top) services, like streaming platforms, as they are already governed by the IT Act. The initial draft had a broad definition of telecommunication services, covering data calls to OTT apps, sparking discussions on OTT regulation. However, this has been omitted in the final version.
The new bill also suggests the termination of spectrum assignments, either partially or fully, that have remained unutilized for an extended period but are still in possession of entities. The bill empowers the government to prohibit the use of telecom gear from untrusted sources in the interest of national security.
Unauthorized access to telecom networks, including hacking or illicit data acquisition, may result in imprisonment for up to three years and a fine of up to ₹2 crore. Similarly, a prison sentence, coupled with a ₹50 lakh fine, will be imposed on those fraudulently acquiring subscriber identity modules.
Finally, the bill proposes renaming the universal services obligation fund to Digital Bharat Nidhi, funded by a portion of telcos’ annual revenues, with the aim of connecting remote areas of the country.
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