Page 6 - Department Of Telecommunications

Satcom firms to be allocated spectrum only for point-to-point connections

The government will allocate spectrum to satellite services companies only for point-to-point connection and not for direct transmission of services to retail consumers, sources said on Tuesday. The Telecommunications Bill, 2023 has proposed allocation of spectrum to satellite communication companies through the administrative method which means without auction. "The administrative allocation of spectrum to satellite companies will be for point-to-point connection only. If they will provide services like access service providers (mobile operators), then allocation will be through auction," a source who did not wish to be identified, said. He said the government will be open to amend the telecommunications law as per market dynamics and requirement.

Telecom Bill 2023: GMPC players may get spectrum at administered price

As the government tables the Telecommunications Bill, 2023 in Lok Sabha, the move is seen as a big win for Sunil Mittal's OneWeb, which had been pushing for the same

Second time in 6 mths: DoT invites applications for Trai chairman post

The DoT had first advertised for the position on June 22

Govt re-invites application for Trai Chairman post vacant since Oct 1

The Department of Telecom on Friday invited applications for the post of Trai chairperson, which has been lying vacant since October 1, again. Earlier, the DoT had issued an advertisement on June 26. "The government of India, Department of Telecommunications proposes to fill up the post of Chairperson, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), New Delhi which is vacant since October 1, 2023," the advertisement said. Candidates who have applied for the position in response to the advertisement issued earlier are not required to apply afresh, according to the fresh advertisement. The DoT in the advertisement issued on Friday fixed December 22 as the last date for submitting applications. The position of Trai chairperson has been vacant since October 1 after the completion of the tenure of P D Vaghela. Trai member Meenakshi Gupta is handling the additional charge of chairperson of the regulatory body.

You will be able to get SIM cards without paper forms from January 1

The move is expected to control the cases of SIM fraud and cut the telcos' cost of customer acquisition

Inter-ministerial meeting on 'Direct to Mobile' technology next month

Scope and nature of proposed D2M services in India to be discussed

LIVE: Wistron board okays plan for sale of India plant to Tatas for $125 mn

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DoT grants 2-month extension to telcos to register, verify SIM card sellers

Telcos sought additional time for implementation of new rules as it required change in their IT systems. Considering the request, the government has given a one-time extension

Amazon seeks IN-SPACe's approval to provide satcom services in India

Amazon is also expected to apply to the DoT for a global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) licence

Google rolls out earthquake alerts system for android users in India

The technology, through the use of tiny accelerometers present in the android smartphones, can detect the very beginnings of earthquake shaking

Lowering entry barriers

Trai's recommendations are unlikely to bring more operators

NDMA tests pan-India 'emergency alert system' for disaster management

The sample testing message, sent through the Cell Broadcasting System, was timestamped at 12:19 pm on September 15

DoT to take call on Starlink's India license next week: Officials

Officials say application is in order; two other players have received license

Airtel's contingent liabilities jump from Rs 4,100 cr to Rs 11,500 crore

Troubled Vodafone Idea (VI) has around Rs 7,000 crore in the form of one-time spectrum charge (OTSC) dues

VI pays 50% of spectrum usage, licence charges; struggles to raise funds

Vodafone Idea has found it difficult to raise funds in the past two years which has hurt its ability to expand its 4G network and begin the 5G rollout

Rs 10 lakh fine on telcos if found flouting new SIM card sale rules: DoT

Sale of SIM cards through unregistered dealers will lead to a Rs 10 lakh penalty on telecom operators as per new rules, the Department of Telecom (DoT) said in a circular on Thursday. The new rules that aim to check fraudulent sale of SIM cards will come into effect from October 1 and telecom operators need to register all 'Point of Sale' (PoS) before September 30, the circular said. "If the licensee(s) permit any new PoS i.e., after September 30, 2023, to enrol customers without registration, then a financial penalty of Rs 10 lakh per PoS per instance shall be imposed by concerned LSA (licensed service area) on each licensee, the circular said. All mobile connections activated through unregistered PoS shall also need to be re-verified as per the existing instructions, according to the circular. All the existing PoS will also need to submit documents and register by the end of September. "In case, a Licensee appoints a PoS for doing recharge/ billing activities only and not for ..

Received 'emergency alert: severe' text on your phone? Here's what it means

The government said the alert system ensures that necessary emergency info reaches the maximum number of people in a timely manner

Govt may introduce draft Telecommunications Bill in Parliament this week

Officials say the draft bill has received cabinet clearance

DoT relaxes spectrum trading norm, allows radiowave trade in frequency band

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has relaxed spectrum trading norms by allowing operators to trade radiowaves in a frequency band as per the block size notified in the last auction, according to guidelines published on Wednesday. The modification in spectrum trading guidelines allows telecom operators to lease spectrum to captive non-public network licence holders that use radiowaves for internal business requirements. "The block sizes of Access Spectrum to be traded in different spectrum band(s) shall be as per the block size(s) as specified in the NIA (notice inviting application) for the latest auction held. Further, if there is any residual spectrum to be traded, it may be considered on pro-rata basis," the new guideline said. Earlier, telecom operators were allowed to trade spectrum in block size ranging 1.25 megahertz (Mhz) paired spectrum to up to 20 Mhz in higher frequency bands of 2,300 and 2,500 Mhz. The modification allows telecom operators to trade spectrum in

Airtel prepays Rs 8,024 crore dues for spectrum to telecom department

The move is expected to help India's second-largest telco save on interest costs annually and improve cash flows