New Sim Rule: On Wednesday, December 20, the new Telecommunication Bill 2023 was approved by the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has now received this bill for a final review. This bill stipulates that buying a fake SIM could result in three years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh.
Biometric Verification Requirement
The bill requests that telecom providers require biometric verification prior to providing SIM cards to customers. For reasons of national security, this bill would give the government the authority to assume control of, oversee, or halt any telecom service or network. That is, the government will have the capability to intercept messages on the telecom network in the event of a conflict.
Replacement of Age-Old Legislation
The 138-year-old Indian Telegraph Act, which governs the telecom industry, will be replaced by the bill. In addition, this bill will supersede the Telegraph Wires Act of 1950 and the Indian Wireless Telegraph Act of 1933. Moreover, it will modify the TRAI Act of 1997. The licencing system will be altered by the bill as well. Currently, different licences, permissions, approvals, and registrations are required for various services provided by service providers. The Department of Telecom grants more than 100 licences or registrations.
Accelerated Service Deployment
A provision in the bill for the administrative distribution of telecom spectrum will expedite the introduction of services. Foreign businesses like Starlink, owned by American businessman Elon Musk, will profit from the new bill. Jio might also lose out as a result of this.
Customer Consent Mandate
Additionally, it is now required to get consent from customers before sending out advertisements or promotional messages for goods and services. Additionally, it stipulates that the telecom provider must set up an online complaint portal so that consumers can file complaints there.
Exclusion of OTT Services
Over-the-top services like online messaging and e-commerce have been removed from the definition of telecom services in this bill. OTT services were included in the Telecommunication Bill draft that was presented last year. About this, civil society and internet companies had raised a lot of noise. OTT is no longer included in this bill after this.
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER