The telecom industry on Tuesday offered its support for the new Telecommunication Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha, hailing it as a “progressive and forward-looking initiative” in India’s licensing landscape.
Key figure in the telecom sector, Bharti Airtel MD and CEO Gopal Vittal commended various provisions of the Bill, particularly those addressing security, right of way, and licensing simplification.
“I would like to warmly compliment the government for introducing a progressive and forward-looking Telecommunications Bill in the Parliament. The bill suggests groundbreaking reforms by streamlining India’s licensing landscape. It aims to simplify the current convoluted system, which includes various types of licensing (license, registration, permission), into a more cohesive and efficient authorisation-based regime,” he said in a statement released on Tuesday.
Vittal also praised the reforms related to the Right of Way (RoW), anticipating an acceleration in the rollout of telecom infrastructure, including 5G.
“This move will provide the necessary enforceability of Central RoW rules at the local level. Provisions related to public and private property; common ducts further instill confidence in the industry for faster rollout,” he said.
Another crucial reform involves restructuring penalties, with the introduction of a tiered system of graded penalties proportionate to the breach, he said.
Vittal also added that the government’s efforts to simplify the penalty framework and promote efficient dispute resolution through a voluntary undertaking and an appeal process, will benefit the customers.
The Telecom Bill, introduced on December 18, proposes measures for the temporary control of telecom services in the interest of national security.
It outlines provisions for handling public emergencies, disaster management, and intercepting messages to prevent incitement for committing offenses.
Despite disruptions in the Lok Sabha during the Bill’s introduction, the industry welcomes the proposed reforms claiming it aligns with India’s growth aspirations in the digital era.
