Rajya Sabha approves 2023 Telecom Bill for User Protection and Structural Reforms

By siliconindia  |  Thursday, 21 December 2023, 05:18:45 PM IST

Rajya Sabha approves 2023 Telecom Bill for User Protection and Structural Reforms
The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, has received approval from the Rajya Sabha, indicating the government's dedication to implementing structural reforms in the telecom industry. Having previously passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the key objective of the Bill is to streamline and elucidate telecom regulations, eliminate obstacles in network development, and provide the government with temporary authority over telecom services for national security considerations.
The legislation aims to revise and consolidate laws pertaining to the growth, expansion, and functioning of telecommunication services and networks in India. It incorporates measures to bolster user protection, counteract impersonation, and tackle concerns associated with the fraudulent issuance of SIM cards.
A significant provision mandates that telecom service providers must verify user identity through verifiable biometric-based identification. Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured the Lok Sabha on Wednesday of the Bill's strong focus on user protection, emphasizing the introduction of an empowered Know Your Customer (KYC) regime with stringent penalties for violators, including imprisonment for up to three years and fines of up to 50 lakh rupees. The move aims to curb the misuse of telecom services and bolster overall security.
Vaishnaw emphasized the Digital Bharat Nidhi as a noteworthy aspect of the Bill, designed to foster and assist manufacturers of telecom equipment and products for the well-being of the over 40 lakh individuals involved in the telecom sector. The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, is set to replace the antiquated Indian Telegraph Act of 1885 and override the current regulatory framework for the telecommunication sector, which includes the Wireless Telegraphy Act (1933) and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act (1950).

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