The Telecommunication Act 2023 will come into effect from June 26. It replaces the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885 and the Indian Wireless Telegraph Act of 1933. This new law represents significant progress in the telecom sector and aims to transform the regulatory environment to address contemporary challenges.

Major changes introduced

– According to a report in The Economic Times, one major change is that the government now has more power to take control of telecom services or networks in emergency situations. This could be for security, public order or to prevent crimes. The act highlights how important telecom is to empower people, but also acknowledges that it can also be misused. To protect users, it includes rules against unsolicited commercial messages and sets up a system to deal with complaints.

-As per the new law, any telecom company that wants to set up or run a network, provide services or use radio equipment must seek government approval. This is to ensure national security and promote Indian technology. The act also allows the government to set standards for telecom services and networks to ensure high security and quality.

– The Act expands the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) to support services in rural, remote, and urban areas. It will also fund research and development of new telecommunications services and technologies, ensuring that even the most underserved areas have access to essential telecommunications services.

How does it affect you

The new Act brings with it several benefits and changes that will directly impact the users:

– Improved security and quality: With the government’s ability to set standards and assess conformance, users can expect higher security and quality in telecom services.
– Improved protection against unsolicited communications: The Act includes measures to protect users from unsolicited commercial communications, thereby enhancing the overall user experience.
-Access to services in remote areas: Expanded USOF ensures that even remote and under-served areas will have access to essential telecom services.
-Fostering innovation: The regulatory sandbox will facilitate the introduction of new and innovative telecom solutions, potentially providing better and more advanced services to users.

The Telecom Act 2023 introduces significant changes aimed at modernising the telecom sector, enhancing national security, and promoting innovation. By updating old laws and introducing new regulations, the Act seeks to create a robust and visionary telecom framework for India.