On Wednesday, there was a significant shift in the telecom industry. The “Telecommunication Act 2023” became operative in the nation on June 26. The Telecommunication Act of 2023 was approved by Parliament in December of the previous year. No Indian citizen would be allowed to own more than nine SIM cards in their lifetime as a result of this rule. Purchasing more than one SIM card would result in a fine ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh. Simultaneously, obtaining SIM cards fraudulently—that is, using someone else’s ID—will result in three years in prison. Additionally, there would be a punishment of up to Rs 50 lakh. The government will have the authority to halt the network and intercept your messages under the new telecom law.
According to the government announcement (Gazette Notification), telecommunication is an effective tool for empowering the average person. Misuse of it might also have a negative impact on the average person. In light of this, the Telecommunication Act of 2023 has also added new regulations to safeguard regular consumers against malicious communications and various forms of spam.
Telecommunication Act 2023: Transforming India’s Telecom Landscape
The Indian Telegraph Act of 138 years will be superseded by this statute. For now, this law governs the telecom industry. ‘The Indian Wireless Telegraph Act 1933’ will likewise be superseded by this new law. Additionally, it will modify the TRAI Act of 1997 at the same time.
On December 20 of last year, the Telecommunication Act 2023 was presented to the Lok Sabha. On December 21, the Rajya Sabha approved it. President Draupadi Murmu’s support allowed it to become law. It went into effect on June 26. This law has 62 provisions in total, however only 39 of them have been put into effect as of yet.
The Telecommunication Act 2023’s Sections 1, 2, 10 to 30, 42 to 44, 46, 47, 50 to 58, 61, and 62 are now in force as of Wednesday. Chapters including legal parameters, public safety, national security, telecommunications network safety, Digital India Fund, innovation and technology development, user safety, and criminality are covered in these parts.
Also Read: ‘Emergency was the darkest chapter of direct attack on the Constitution’: President Murmu
The new rule will allow residents of North-East states and Jammu and Kashmir to have up to six SIM cards. A fine of Rs 50,000 for the first time and Rs 2 lakh each time after that will be imposed for taking more SIM cards than this. The government will have the ability to intercept messages if necessary.
Telecommunication Act 2023: Enhanced Government Powers and Consumer Protections
The new law gives the government the authority to halt the network and read your messages if necessary. In a scenario akin to a war, the government is permitted to take such action. For concerns of national security, the government may assume control of any telecom network or service. Alternatively, it has the option to suspend it for as long and whenever it pleases.
In the event of a public emergency, public interest, or public safety necessity, the government may halt the dissemination of any communication.
Now, telecom providers must take extremely stringent measures to block spam numbers and numbers that defraud the general public. The new law also streamlines the requirements for building telecom infrastructure under the Right of Way.
Customers’ consent will be required under the new telecom law before delivering any form of promotional message. The telecom provider would need to set up an online complaint portal so that customers may file concerns at any time.
OTT players and apps are no longer included in the definition of telecommunication services. Telegram and WhatsApp are exempt from telecom regulations.
