The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has directed DoT to file a reply to a plea challenging the govern ment’s move to amend the licence for providing VPN services.

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) T has directed DoT to file a reply to a plea challenging the government’s move to amend the licence for providing VPN services. The petition, which was filed by internet service providers (ISPs), states that DoT had not sought the recommendations of TRAI before issuing the guidelines. According to the TRAI Act, the government should seek TRAI’s recommendations on matters such as licensing. The petition also states that VPN services are allowed under the existing licence. As per the new guidelines issued by DoT, ISPs have to obtain new or amended licences to be able to offer VPN services after paying an entry fee ranging from Rs 10 million to Rs 100 million.