Page 2 - Telecom Minister

With 84 internet shutdowns in 2022, India tops the list fifth time in a row

With 49 shutdowns to its credit, Jammu and Kashmir experienced the most shutdowns in 2022

Reporting of call drop data at state level difficult: COAI to regulator

Mobile operators' body COAI on Tuesday said that sector regulator's instructions to telcos to report call drop data even state-wise entails several administrative and execution "difficulties" on ground, and that reporting should continue at LSA (Licensed Service Area) level. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), last week at a review meeting, asked telecom operators to report call drop data at state level too, amid rising instances of service quality issues and consumer complaints. The industry association COAI on Tuesday said it has urged Trai to "reconsider" the move and continue with LSA-wise reporting, SP Kochhar, Director General, COAI (Cellular Operators' Association of India), told reporters. COAI's members including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea. Kochhar said that telecom operators fully "support giving the best services to subscribers with whatever it takes", but pointed to "administrative problems" that would arise in reporting call drop data .

320 mobile towers found exceeding EMF radiation limits: MoS Telecom

Telecom Department field units have tested as many as 11.6 lakh BTSs across the country for compliance to stipulated EMF radiation norms as on December 2022, of which 320 were found exceeding prescribed limits, Parliament was informed on Friday. As on December 31, 2022, penalties of Rs 13.10 crore have been recovered from defaulting telcom service providers for exceeding the prescribed EMF limits, Minister of State for Communications, Devusinh Chauhan said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. "As on 31.12.2022, Licensed Service Area (LSA) field units of DoT have tested 11,61,281 number of Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) across the country to check the compliance to prescribed Electromagnetic Field (EMF) radiation norms, out of which a total of 320 BTSs were found exceeding the prescribed EMF limits," Chauhan said. The amount collected through penalties is credited to the Consolidated Fund of India. Expenditures of the government are incurred from the 'Consolidated Fund of India'

Regulation of OTT apps to be clarified in revised telecom bill: Report

Officials aware of the matter said that revised telecom bill will 'clearly' state the Centre's aim to regulate only communication apps 'that give the same service as telecom operators'

Vi in talks with SBI for loan of Rs 15K-16K crore for capex needs: Report

The talks have reportedly been going on for over a month now and SBI is waiting to get clarity on the govt's potential shareholding in Vi

Reliance Jio announces rollout of 'True 5G' service in Delhi, NCR cities

Company's welcome offer will give users unlimited data at up to 1Gbps speeds

No word from DoT on dues' conversion since April: Vodafone Idea CEO

In an analyst call following the release of Vi results, CEO Akshaya Moondra said the company is trying to quickly close funding talks with banks so that stuck vendor payments can be quickly addressed

iPhone users in India can start using 5G services starting next week

Apple Inc made the commitment at a meeting of key mobile device makers called by the DoT on Wednesday

WhatsApp, Signal may not require licences to operate in India: Report

Telecom minister has said that regulations in the draft telecom bill will protect the customers from cyberattacks and will only be 'light touch'

Deliberations on draft telecom bill being conducted: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Draft telecom bill: Vaishnaw said that the Indian government will only introduce "light-touch regulations" on over-the-top (OTT) communication services

Draft Telecom Bill enhances unease of doing biz amid regulatory overlaps

Regulatory overlaps between multiple ministries and overreach by DoT worry stakeholders

Will cover close to 80-90% of India with 5G in next two years: Vaishnaw

Close to Rs 500 crore per year of investments for developing new technology will be available for the country, said Ashwini Vaishnaw

New telecom bill likely to be introduced in 6-10 months: Ashwini Vaishnaw

The new telecom bill is expected to be in place in 6-10 months but the government is not in a hurry, communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Friday. "Basis consultation process, we will create final draft. That draft will then go through committee processes of Parliament. Then it has to go (to) Parliament. I see a timeline of 6-10 months but we are not in a hurry," Vaishnaw said when asked about a timeline for implementation of the final bill. The Department of Telecommunications has set the deadline of October 20 on the draft bill. The bill seeks to replace three laws: the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950. However, with a view to ensuring smooth transition to the new framework and avoid any possible disruption, the bill provides for continuity of actions taken under the repealed laws. It also provides that rules under the repealed laws would continue till such time that new rul

Spectrum allocation and OTT services: Draft Telecom Bill makes key changes

Spectrum for satellite broadband services is not in the Bill's list and it would likely be auctioned

Draft Telecommunication Bill to reduce paperwork, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

It is part of the overhauling exercise being done by the department of telecommunications internally as it looks to simplify procedures and provide ease of doing business to the industry

How BSNL can turn around its fortune post Rs 1.64-trn govt package

The company must overcome poor technology decisions imposed on it and bridge the gap with private sector competitors

Govt proposes revamp of telecom rules to keep pace with modernisation

The Department of Telecom has floated a consultation paper on the revamp of telecom rules mainly to keep pace with the change in technology like 5G, simplify laws and promote investments

Govt should not allow backdoor entry to Big Tech for 5G auctions: COAI

The COAI said in a statement that the 5G spectrum should not be provided on an administrative basis as it leads to no business case for the rollout of 5G networks in the country

Govt must review private network guidelines: Broadband India Forum

Group says policy announcement gives no predictability to industry about 'way forward'

Confident that telecom players will make 5G auction a success: Vaishnaw

On captive private networks, the minister said the government has gone with the TRAI recommendations which were done in consultations with the industry