Telecom Department

Facing backlash, govt takes back Sanchar Saathi pre-install order

"Given Sanchar Saathi's increasing acceptance, the government has decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers"

DoT withdraws duplicate notice, confirms amended cyber security rules stand

The telecom department on Thursday said it has withdrawn the republished rules concerning telecom cyber security, noting that it was inadvertently published in the Gazette in place of another rule intended for consultation. The department clarified that the Telecommunication Cyber Security (TCS) Amendment Rules, 2025, notified on October 22, will continue to be in force. The Telecommunication Cyber Security (TCS) rules aimed to address critical vulnerabilities that have emerged with the rapid integration of telecom identifiers into digital services across sectors, such as banking, e-commerce, and e-governance. It also aimed at facilitating the identification of mobile numbers, devices and other telecom resources that have been found involved in fraudulent activities. A copy of the same notification was republished by mistake on October 29, which the Department of Telecom rescinded through a notification on November 25. "This error now stands rectified by the Department of ...

Tampering with mobile IMEI can lead to 3 years' jail, ₹50 lakh fine: DoT

Tampering with telecom identifiers, including the 15-digit IMEI number of mobile phones, are non-bailable offences and can lead to imprisonment of up to three years, fines up to Rs 50 lakh, or both, the Department of Telecom said on Monday. In an advisory issued to all manufacturers, brand owners, importers, and sellers, the Department of Telecom (DoT) asked them to comply fully with the laid legal framework. "The Telecommunications Act, 2023 imposes stringent penalties for tampering with telecommunication identifiers, including IMEI numbers... Penalties for violation include imprisonment for up to three years, fines up to Rs 50 lakh, or both," the advisory said. Tampering of telecom identifiers or International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) makes it challenging for law-enforcement agencies to track criminals. "To secure telecom networks and prevent counterfeit devices, the Government of India mandates strict regulations on International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) ...

Centre to seek legal advice on SC order allowing Vi AGR dues review

The telecom department will review the Supreme Court's order permitting reassessment of Vodafone Idea's AGR dues for FY16-17, as the government weighs legal options and next steps

Telecom companies seek easing of 'stringent quality of service' norms

Arguing that Trai did not sufficiently address their concerns over how burdensome and cost-intensive the measures will be, operators said they have approached the DoT

May boost 4G, 5G investment: VIL calls DoT's bank guarantee waiver 'relief'

The telecom department has waived the requirement of bank guarantee to be submitted for spectrum auctions held prior to the reform package, telecom operator Vodafone Idea said on Saturday, adding that the latest "relief" will boost 4G and 5G investments in India. Prior to this reform, bank guarantees aggregating to about Rs 24,800 crore were required to be provided by VIL against each spectrum instalment, 13 months prior to the instalment falling due for the above auctions, the company said in a BSE filing. "As per our understanding of the terms and conditions, out of all the 5 auctions mentioned above, no BGs (bank guarantee) will be required to be provided by VIL for the 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2021 auctions," the telco said. There would, however, be a one-time partial shortfall, only for the 2015 auction, where the net present value or NPV of all payments made would be less than the pro-rated value of spectrum used, VIL said and informed that it is "in discussion with the DoT to ...

275K numbers disconnected, Rs 4000 cr fraud prevented: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Scindia emphasised the efforts of the Home Ministry in setting up a network to tackle cyber fraud which had helped to prevent fraud worth Rs 4,000 crore

No satellite spectrum allocation on first-come, first-served basis: Scindia

Scindia said there is a scientific argument and then an economic argument linked to the spectrum allocation

7.3 million connections obtained on fake documents shut down: DoT

66 lakh connections axed after subscribers found to be holding more than the legal number of SIM cards

BSNL subscribers on rise, homegrown 4G network ready: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Saturday claimed that the subscriber base for the government-run BSNL has been increasing, while a homegrown 4G network is also ready and work is on to convert it to 5G. Talking to reporters here, the Union minister for communications said under Atmanirbhar Bharat, a 4G network with indigenous technology is ready and, in a few months, its services will be available across the country through the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). "Several people had asked when Jio, Airtel and Vodafone rolled out the 4G network, why not BSNL? It was the prime minister's resolution that if we have to develop a government-run company's network, we will not use equipment from China or any other foreign country," Scindia said. It was decided that an indigenous technology would be developed, he said. "PM Modi has resolved under Atmanirbhar Bharat that India will develop its own 4G stack, core system or towers called radiation access network (RAN). India will devel

Telecom minister to meet telcos and internet service providers on Tuesday

Jyotiraditya Scindia met with satcom, OEM and electronic makers on Monday

Scindia sets up six advisory panels to energise the telecom sector

The move was spearheaded by communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who took charge earlier this month

Bharti Airtel acquires 97 MHz of spectrum worth Rs 6,857 crore for 20 years

The spectrum auction saw the government receive Rs 11,300 crore in bids over seven rounds, with Airtel emerging as the largest overall bidder

Will you be charged for your phone number? Here is what Trai has said

The telecom regulator is also considering penalties for operators that hold on to underutilised number resources

Modi 3.0: DPDP, sat spectrum norms, electronics PLI boost on cards

MeitY targets framing guidelines for Artificial intelligence, DoT zeroes on spectrum auction, war on spam

Govt portal pins 898,000 missing phones, less than 15% recovered: DoT

Only 1.43% of traced stolen phones finally recovered, 69% in Telangana

DoT's likely 100-day aim: Govt to crack down on rising spam calls, messages

New inter-ministerial panel to coordinate policy, AI-based consent platform in works

Vodafone Idea earmarks Rs 5,720 crore to roll out 5G wireless network

Plans to use Rs 18K cr FPO's proceeds to upgrade infra, clear deferred payments; govt holding will dilute to 24% from 32% currently

Govt cautions against calls impersonating as telecom dept officials

Citizens getting calls from callers posing as the Department of Telecom officials and threatening to disconnect their connections are fake calls to steal the personal information of individuals and carry out financial frauds, an official statement said on Friday. The DoT also issued an advisory about WhatsApp calls from foreign-origin mobile numbers (like +92-xxxxxxxxxx), impersonating government officials and duping the people. "The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued an advisory to citizens that calls are being received by the citizens wherein callers, in the name of DoT, are threatening that all of their mobile numbers would be disconnected or their mobile numbers are being misused in some illegal activities. Cybercriminals through such calls try to threaten/steal personal information to carry out cyber-crime/financial frauds," the statement said. The DoT said it does not authorise anyone to make such calls on its behalf and has advised people to stay vigilant and .

Pak govt has access to phone interception system: Telecom dept tells court

Pakistan's telecommunication authority has installed a system for legal phone interception and the system was at the disposal of the government and its agencies, the chairman of the country's top telecom body told a court here. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, Major-General Hafeezur Rehman made the statements during the hearing of a case at the Islamabad High Court on Thursday, the Dawn newspaper reported. Responding to a question by Justice Babar Sattar, who was heading the IHC bench, about whether there was a mechanism for legal interception, Rehman said that the top telecom body had installed a system, but it was at the disposal of the federal government and its agencies. However, he added that all provisions of the licence for telecom operators have been enforced, except the provision of legal interception. "Phone hacking has become so easy that if you leave your mobile phone somewhere and go to the washroom, I can connect and hack it before you return,