Department Of Telecommunications

DoT asks telcos to play cybercrime awareness caller tune 8-10 times daily

The telecom department has ordered operators to play cyber crime awareness caller tune 8-10 times per day to telephone subscribers for three months. According to the order copy sent to the telecom operators, the caller tunes will be provided by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) -- a cyber crime wing under the Home Ministry. "In order to make the public aware about cybercrime through the caller tune campaign, it has been decided to play caller tune audios through pre-call announcement/ring back tone arrangement, which will be provided to TSPs by nodal officers of I4C. Caller tunes to a subscriber may be played about 8-10 times a day," the order dated December 18 said. The order asked telecom service providers (TSPs) to immediately take action on the order. "Different caller tunes related to cybercrime will be provided on a weekly basis for a period of three months," the order said. There has been a rise in the incidence of financial fraud through new scams like digita

Trai recommends additional 5 Mhz spectrum to Railways in 700 Mhz band

Telecom regulator Trai on Friday recommended the allotment of the only chunk of 5 megahertz spectrum left in premium 700 Mhz band frequency range to Indian Railways for passenger safety applications. The price of per megahertz (Mhz) spectrum in 700 Mhz band frequency was priced at Rs 3,927 crore for commercial use. "In addition to the already assigned 5 MHz (paired) frequency spectrum in the 700 MHz frequency band, an additional 5 MHz (paired) frequency spectrum in the 700 MHz frequency band should be assigned to Indian Railways for its safety and security applications along the railway tracks for captive use," Trai said in its recommendation on "Assignment of Additional Spectrum to Indian Railways for its Safety and Security Applications". The DoT has already allocated 5 Mhz of spectrum in the 700 Mhz band to Indian Railways in 2021. Telecom signals transmitted in 700 Mhz band can cover an area in the range of 6-10 km. The vast coverage provided in these frequency bands reduces th

Bharti Airtel clears all dues for 2016 spectrum, prepays Rs 3,626 crore

Airtel has cleared dues from 2012 and 2015 auctions earlier this year

Airtel become first private telco to connect Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipore

Bharti Airtel has become the first private telecom operator to launch mobile services in Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipore districts of Jammu and Kashmir, the company said on Wednesday. The company said that it has deployed 15 mobile towers in Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipore districts, which will benefit the local population and also offer essential communication connections for soldiers stationed along the Line of Control. "Bharti Airtel has partnered with the Indian Army to bring connectivity to villages in Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipore districts along the Line of Control in North Kashmir," the company said in a statement. Under the Vibrant Village Programme, villages such as Kachhal, Balbir, Razdan Pass, Taya Top, Ustad, Kathi, and Cheema are now connected to the rest of the country. These villages are located in the Keran, Machhal, Tangdhar, Gurez, and Uri valley regions, spanning the three districts of Kupwara, Baramulla, and Bandipore. "Airtel is the only private telecom

Govt notifies rules for message interception, sets 6-month surveillance cap

The new rules outline procedures for lawful interception of messages, with oversight mechanisms and a maximum six-month limit, sparking debates of potential misuse

Elon Musk's Starlink moves closer to India licence, accepts data terms

Starlink is moving closer to obtaining a license in India after agreeing to comply with govt's data localisation and security requirements, clearing a major hurdle in its expansion plans in India

Recommendations on satcom to be brought out soon: Trai Chairman Lahoti

Trai's recommendations are expected to clarify allocation methodology, frequencies to be used, spectrum pricing, and terms&conditions that satellite operators must meet concerning national security

Airtel pushes DoT for non-discriminatory waiver in telecom sector reforms

Airtel has urged the Department of Telecommunications to ensure that the proposed waiver on spectrum bank guarantees applies uniformly across all telecom operators, regardless of financial health

DoT seeks security compliance from Starlink, Amazon for satcom services

DoT has requested Starlink and Amazon to fulfill key security compliances before moving forward with their applications to offer satellite communication services in India

DoT pushes local manufacturing with new procurement clause for 5G gear

As Indian companies enhance the capacity to manufacture 5G technology products at scale, they will be prioritised for 'Make in India' procurement orders, ensuring these goods are sourced domestically

ITU to prioritise global standards on DPI and AI after India push

The World Telecom Standardization Assembly in Delhi adopted resolutions across new tech areas

ITU secretary-general echoes PM's call for framework on digital tech

Points to the need for telecom standards setting the tone for ethical use of AI globally

Vodafone Idea may get relief as DoT considers waiving bank guarantees

Once the DoT's draft note receives Cabinet nod, telecom operators will no longer need to provide bank guarantees for securing deferred spectrum payment instalments

DoT to crack down on telemarketers; new rules to curb spam calls & messages

Telecom companies have consistently raised concerns that they are penalised for spam that originates from third-party telemarketers over whom they have little control

Satellite spectrum battle: Ambani calls for auction; Musk backs allocation

While Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper are batting for administrative allocation of satellite spectrum, Reliance Industries argues that auctions are necessary to ensure a fair playing field

AI enables unmatched agility; deployment be guided by regulations: Scindia

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is enabling unmatched agility and precision but its deployment must be guided by ethical considerations and robust regulatory framework, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Monday. Speaking at the ITUWTSA event, the Minister asserted that governance of AI and Internet of Things (IoT) cannot be an "afterthought" and added that concerns of privacy and bias must be addressed to ensure that these technologies serve as a "force for good." "... We must address concerns of privacy, of bias and of transparency, ensuring that these technologies serve as a force for good," Scindia said. AI is reshaping contours of how information is stored and processed, the Minister said, adding it is enabling companies and individuals by unlocking unparalleled agility, precision and scalability. The Minister emphasised that the digital landscape and tech deployment therefore must be "guided by ethical considerations and robust regulatory framework". Speaking a

Trai to discuss OTT apps regulation; expedite Satcom framework: Chairman

Telecom regulator Trai will expedite the process for satellite spectrum pricing before taking up the issue of regulation for over-the-top apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Google Meet, Trai chairman said on Wednesday. A consultation paper on pricing for Satellite Spectrum will issued in the next few days, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Chairman RC Lahoti said. "OTT was not part of this paper (Service Authorisation Framework under Telecommunications Act 2023). It is being discussed separately. Right now, we have to take up spectrum pricing on a priority basis," Lahoti said. He said that Trai will explore if OTT apps need to be regulated under the Telecommunications Act 2023. Telecom operators have expressed concern over Trai's recent recommendation on a new regime that proposes to allow the provisioning of telecom service using single authorisation instead of a license, which was the norm under the old regime. Lahoti said Trai has only recommended the framework that

Govt to pay MTNL's bond interest payment again, say DoT officials

But the government is unwilling to pay for loans taken by MTNL, say sources

India's own 4G stack to be rolled out by mid-2025: Scindia at AIMA event

India's own 4G technology stack will be rolled out by mid-2025, Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia said on Wednesday as he outlined three key targets for the country and the government. Scindia, Minister of Communications, was delivering a keynote address at the 51st edition of the AIMA National Management Convention here. "India, for the first time in her existence, has developed her own 4G technology stack that will be rolled out by the middle of next year," he said. It is important not only to implement technology, but also to design and develop indigenous technology, Scindia further said. "There are three targets that we have set for ourselves. The first target is to ensure saturation...Every corner of our country must be connected digitally. Every single person must be able to avail of every single opportunity through the digital revolution," he said. India has raised almost four and a half lakh towers across the country, he said, adding that the government has committed

Trai urges DoT to encash Rs 115 cr from telcos for spam-related violations

The telecom regulator maintains that telcos are responsible for controlling unsolicited commercial communications under the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations