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The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), the representative body of nearly 600 internet firms and start-ups, on Monday welcomed the introduction of the Telecom Bill in Lok Sabha.
Hailing the Bill as “progressive”, the IAMAI said internet companies have been kept out of its ambit, a step in accordance with its recommendation of limiting provisions to the network layer. “The time-tested distinction between telecom spectrum controlling entities (which are regulated) and spectrum using companies should be maintained as it has been the basis that has allowed innovation and deeper penetration of the internet in India,” the association said in a statement.
Further, the IAMAI welcomed the exclusion of email, internet-based communication services, broadcasting services, machine to machine communication services and over-the-top (OTT) communication services from the draft Bill. It also hailed the provision for administrative assignment of spectrum for Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellites (GMPCS). Both of these provisions were also recommended by the association.
Tabled by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Bill’s many significant provisions include one on national security, which allows the government to temporarily take control of telecom services in case of an emergency. It amends and consolidates the laws relating to “development, expansion and operation of telecommunication services and telecommunication networks; assignment of spectrum; and for matters connected therewith”. Under the new Bill, the government can also ask telecommunication services to transmit specific messages.
If passed, the Bill will replace the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950.
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