Telecom Bill 2023
Telecom Bill 2023 was also passed in the Lok Sabha. Under this bill itself, non-auction process will be adopted for allocation of satellite spectrum. This bill allows the Central Government to take control of the telecommunication network in the event of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety. This new bill will replace the Indian Telegraph Act 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act 1933 and the Telegraph Telegraph (Unlawful Possession) Act 1950.
Government will have privileges
- Causing damage to telecom infrastructure can result in a jail term of up to 3 years. A fine of up to Rs 2 crore can be imposed for cutting fiber and breaking towers.
- With the new rules, the government can track the messages of any person in view of national security. Not only this, message transmission can also be stopped.
- In public interest, any kind of message can be sent by the government to telecom companies.
- If the Central Government considers appropriate, the telecommunication service of such a person can be suspended or even terminated. Also, anyone causing damage to the telecommunication network other than the critical telecommunication infrastructure will be liable for compensation for the damage caused and a fine up to Rs 50 lakh.
Government should get more rights
The bill states that any officer authorized by the Central Government may search any building, vehicle, ship, aircraft or place where he has reason to believe that any unauthorized telecommunication network or telecommunication equipment or radio equipment is being kept or concealed.
What impact will the Telecom Bill have on mobile users and companies?
- If a person is found using another's government ID to get a new SIM card, he will face jail up to three years or a fine of not more than Rs 50 lakh, or both.
- If a mobile user has more than nine SIM cards issued on one Aadhaar card, they will be fined Rs 50,000 for the first time and up to Rs 2 lakh for subsequent offences.
- If a company provides the service without authorization or obtains the service illegally, they can be jailed for up to three years or fined up to Rs 2 crore or both.
- Violation of terms and conditions may attract a fine of up to Rs 5 crore.
- If an offender is found to have a primary rate interface of a custom SIM box or any other device for making illegal international calls, they will be fined up to Rs 10 lakh.
- Telecom companies can obtain equipment only from "trusted sources" of the Centre.
- The Center will have the power to set rules for cyber security in telecom networks.
- The Chairman of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) must have at least 30 years of experience. Eligibility for TRAI members is 25 years.
- Companies must obtain prior consent from users to receive advertising messages. Telecom companies will also have to maintain records of Do Not Disturb numbers. In addition, an online resolution platform also needs to be established.
- Verification of customers' identity can only be done using biometric-based IDs like Aadhaar card.
- Telecom spectrum will be released only through auction, except in some cases of national security, defence, disaster management and transport.