Getting Telecom Bill Passed In Monsoon Session Is Next Major Target: IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

It was previously reported that the government is working to introduce the new telecom bill in the monsoon session of Parliament

Union Minister of Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday said that the government’s next major target is getting the Telecom Bill passed in the coming Monsoon Session. As per a report by the news agency ANI, Vaishnaw said that it will lead to a major series of reforms, in terms of spectrum, licenses, and regulation. 

Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “Our next major target is getting the Telecom Bill passed in coming Monsoon Session. That will lead to a major series of reforms, in terms of spectrum, licenses, regulation. There will be a significant reform because of the Telecom Bill.”

It was previously reported that the government is working to introduce the new telecom bill in the monsoon session of Parliament. The bill will be presented to the Parliament after inter-ministerial and public consultation. The new telecom bill will replace three laws, including the Indian Telegraph Act, 1855, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950.

The new Bill proposes to include several internet-based over-the-top (OTT) services such as WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram under the "telecommunication services". Besides OTTs, broadcasting services, electronic mail, voice mail, voice, video, and data communication services, audiotex services, videotex services, fixed and mobile services, internet and broadband services, satellite-based communication services, internet-based communication services, in-flight and maritime connectivity services, interpersonal communications services, machine to machine communication services will also be part of the “telecommunication services”, according to the draft Bill.

On BSNL’s indigenous 4G-5G network development, Ashwini Vaishnaw also said, “There is no delay. This is a very complex transaction. Such a big leap takes time. But the process started yesterday. Yesterday the first eNodeB, designed in India, made in India, has been installed in Chandigarh.”

Commenting on Chinese CCTVs in govt set-ups in India, after Australia's decision to remove such cameras from defence sites over national security fears, he said "All our cyber security wings are working on it. We should be able to counter any threat to India's security."