DoT releases draft rules for provision of telecom services under new framework

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has released its draft rules for the provision of main telecom services under the authorization regime, as outlined in the Telecom Act 2023. The authorization regime is voluntary for those telcos who wish to opt for it, with companies having the option to continue under the current licensing regime.

The scope of these draft rules relates to main telecommunication services that encompasses offerings like unified service, access service, internet service, and long-distance service.

Telecommunication service authorizations are classified into four categories - main telecommunication services, miscellaneous telecommunication services, captive telecommunication services, and broadcasting services.

"The initial validity period of an authorization for provision of telecommunication services shall be twenty (20) years from the effective date unless curtailed or revoked earlier for reasons specified in these rules," the draft rules said.

On the security conditions, it said, "An authorized entity shall, at its own cost provide suitable lawful interception systems and lawful interception and monitoring facilities in accordance with the instructions specified for this purpose by the Central Government."

 "An authorized entity shall ensure that the lawful interception system and lawful interception and monitoring facilities are integrated with the Centralized Monitoring System (CMS) or Internet Monitoring System (IMS), as applicable, prior to the commercial launch of telecommunication services," the draft rules further stated.

If the applicant for authorization under these rules is an existing licensee, it shall, along with its application for authorization apply for migration of all its existing licenses for all categories of telecommunication services to the corresponding authorization for telecommunication service, in accordance with the migration rules, and submit proof of such application, according to the proposed rules.