The Lok Sabha has cleared the Draft Indian Telecommunications Bill 2023. The bill was introduced by the government in the lower house of the Parliament on December 18, 2023. Post this, the bill will be proposed for discussion and passing in the Rajya Sabha.
The bill seeks to supersede the existing regulatory framework for the telecommunications sector, based on the Indian Telegraph Act, of 1885, the Wireless Telegraphy Act (1933), and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act (1950).
The bill, once enacted into law, will bring sweeping regulatory changes, such as an authorisation regime, clarity on the assignment of satellite spectrum and changes in framework for right of way (RoW) provisions. The new bill seeks to keep over-the-top (OTT) services away from the purview of the proposed law.
