In a significant stride towards modernizing India’s telecommunications landscape, the Union Communications Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, introduced the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, in the Lok Sabha on Monday. P Balaji, Chairman of the ASSOCHAM National Digital Communication Council, lauded the bill, describing it as “yet another landmark moment in the telecom reforms process.”
Balaji emphasized the citizen-centric nature of the bill, highlighting its simplicity and the introduction of a framework that harmonizes regulation and innovation. He stated, “The Telecom Bill is a testament to the unrelenting focus of the Government in driving investments and positioning India among the leading nations in the Digital Revolution.”
The proposed legislation is aimed at revamping the archaic Indian Telegraph Act, which has governed the telecom sector for 138 years. Balaji believes that the bill’s enactment will accelerate infrastructure deployment, streamline Right of Way (ROW) processes, and establish secure and resilient telecom networks.
Commenting on the future implications of the bill, Balaji noted, “Once converted into an Act, it will provide a broad framework, allowing for the prescription of future-fit rules to address the continuous evolution of technology and innovation.”
Addressing long-standing concerns of telecom infrastructure providers, the Telecommunications Bill 2023 introduces provisions such as the capping of charges, streamlined approval processes, and guidelines for deploying telecom infrastructure on private property.
Various industry bodies and organizations, including the Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), All India Fixed Internet Service Providers Association (AIFISPA), Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), and the Indian Space Association (ISpA), along with CEOs of major telecom companies like Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi), have also voiced their support for the telecom bill 2023.
As the nation eagerly awaits the outcome of the legislative process, the proposed reforms hold the promise of positioning India as a trailblazer in the digital realm, fostering innovation, and ensuring a robust telecommunications infrastructure for its citizens.
