ENA Sectors 2024-07-29 16:45:03 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Jul 29 (KNN)</strong> India has introduced the Telecommunication Act, 2023 (TA23), marking a significant shift from the 1885 Telegraph Act.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This new legislation aims to modernise the country's telecom framework and address the challenges of the digital age.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">TA23 expands its scope to cover the entire telecommunication sector, including emerging technologies and user protection measures. It introduces regulatory sandboxes to foster innovation and establishes a more robust dispute resolution mechanism with new adjudicating authorities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The Act provides greater flexibility in spectrum management, allowing for administrative allocation in specific cases, potentially bypassing the mandatory auction route.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The Universal Service Obligation Fund has been renamed Digital Bharat Nidhi, with expanded objectives to support research and development in telecom technologies.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">User protection features prominently, with new provisions mandating prior consent for specified messages and maintenance of a Do Not Disturb register.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The Act also recognises spectrum as a valuable asset, allowing for commercial exploitation by allottees while the government retains ownership.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">As of July 2024, 44 out of 62 sections have been notified, with rules for 23 sections still pending. Industry experts emphasise that swift implementation is crucial for the Act's success.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">While critics argue that some provisions may give the government broader powers in spectrum allocation, supporters contend that this flexibility is necessary to address public interest and national security concerns.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This transformative legislation sets the stage for a more agile and future-ready telecom sector, potentially catalysing India's digital growth. Stakeholders await the notification of remaining sections and rules to fully understand the Act's impact on India's telecom landscape.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><strong>(KNN Bureau)</strong></em></span></p> 38779 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/indias-telecom-sector-gets-a-digital-boost-with-new-legislative-overhaul 2024-07-29 16:45:03 knnindia.co.in