The Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022 (Draft Bill) aims to consolidate the current regulations into a singular framework. This proposed legislation would replace the Indian Telegraph Act 1885, Wireless Telegraphy Act 1933 and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful
Possession) Act, 1950. The bill introduces major reforms in the telecom sector. Provisions relating to providing relief to the entities in case of default payments, creating a regulatory sandbox, simplifying the framework for mergers and acquisitions, and providing clarity for operations during insolvency proceedings will immensely help the telecom industry. The added objective of the Telecommunication Development Fund to focus on R&D and skill development would spur growth and innovation in this sector. However, certain concerns in the Draft Bill need to be highlighted. The response lays down some of the issues that the Department of Telecommunications could look into.
Response prepared by: Ayush Tripathi, Kamesh Shekar, Bhavya Birla and Eshani Vaidya
Edited By: Kazim Rizvi, Sreyan Chatterjee
