Over-the-top players like WhatsApp, Zoom and Google Duo which provide calling and messaging services may require licences to operate in the country, according to the draft telecommunication bill 2022.
The draft bill has included OTT as part of the telecommunication service.
“For provision of Telecommunication Services and Telecommunication Networks, an entity shall have to obtain a license,” the draft bill released on Wednesday evening said.
The government in the bill has proposed a provision to waive fees and penalty of telecom and internet service providers. The ministry has also proposed a provision for the refund of fees in case a telecom or internet provider surrenders his license.
“Seeking your views on the draft Indian Telecom Bill 2022,” Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a post on a social media platform in which he also shared the link of the draft bill.
According to the draft, the central government may “waive in part or full any fee, including entry fees, license fees, registrations fees or any other fees or charges, interest, additional charges or penalty” for any licence holder or registered entity under the telecom rules.
The bill proposes to exempt “press messages that are intended to be published in India” of correspondents accredited to the central or state government from interception.
However, the exemption will not be granted in case of any public emergency or in the interest of the public safety, sovereignty, integrity or security of India, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, or to prevent incitement to an offence, according to the draft.
In such cases any message or class of messages, to or from any person or class of persons, or relating to any particular subject, brought for transmission by, or transmitted or received by any telecommunication services or telecommunication network, shall not be transmitted, or shall be intercepted or detained or disclosed to the authorized officer, according to the draft bill.
The Ministry of Communications, Government of India had initiated a public consultative process to develop a modern and future-ready legal framework in telecommunications.
In July 2022, a Consultation Paper on ‘Need for a new legal framework governing Telecommunication in India’ was published and comments were invited. Comments have been received from various stakeholders and industry associations.
Based on the consultations and deliberations, the Ministry has now prepared the draft Indian Telecommunication Bill 2022. To facilitate further consultations, an explanatory note to provide a brief overview of the Bill has also been prepared.
The draft Bill and Explanatory note can be accessed at https://dot.gov.in/relatedlinks/indian-telecommunication-bill-2022 < Use website as hyperlink >
Comments may be sent on the email ID: naveen.kumar71@gov.in
The last date to send comments is 20 October 2022.