Parliament Passes Telecommunications Bill Scrapping Outdated Colonial Laws

New Delhi: The Parliament on Thursday passed the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, granting the government temporary control over telecom services for national security. It introduces a non-auction approach for satellite spectrum allocation. The Rajya Sabha passed the bill through a voice vote after a brief Lok Sabha debate last Wednesday.

The legislation empowers the government to take charge of telecom networks during public emergencies or for public safety. It also allows interception of messages during emergencies to prevent incitement for offenses. Accredited correspondents’ press messages won’t be intercepted unless transmission is prohibited under emergency or public order rules.

Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in response to the debate, highlighted that the bill aims to replace colonial-era laws, aligning with the aspirations of a new India. He emphasized the remarkable growth of India’s telecom sector over the past nine and a half years, transitioning from a challenging period marred by scams to a burgeoning sunrise sector.

Vaishnaw noted the substantial increase in telecom towers (from 6 lakh in 2014 to 25 lakh presently) and broadband users (from 1.5 crore to 85 crore). He attributed the success to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, acknowledging India’s world-leading 5G rollout, featuring predominantly Indian-made equipment.