Page 3 - Telecom Minister

Will cover close to 80-90% of India with 5G in next two years: Vaishnaw

Close to Rs 500 crore per year of investments for developing new technology will be available for the country, said Ashwini Vaishnaw

New telecom bill likely to be introduced in 6-10 months: Ashwini Vaishnaw

The new telecom bill is expected to be in place in 6-10 months but the government is not in a hurry, communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Friday. "Basis consultation process, we will create final draft. That draft will then go through committee processes of Parliament. Then it has to go (to) Parliament. I see a timeline of 6-10 months but we are not in a hurry," Vaishnaw said when asked about a timeline for implementation of the final bill. The Department of Telecommunications has set the deadline of October 20 on the draft bill. The bill seeks to replace three laws: the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950. However, with a view to ensuring smooth transition to the new framework and avoid any possible disruption, the bill provides for continuity of actions taken under the repealed laws. It also provides that rules under the repealed laws would continue till such time that new rul

Spectrum allocation and OTT services: Draft Telecom Bill makes key changes

Spectrum for satellite broadband services is not in the Bill's list and it would likely be auctioned

Draft Telecommunication Bill to reduce paperwork, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

It is part of the overhauling exercise being done by the department of telecommunications internally as it looks to simplify procedures and provide ease of doing business to the industry

How BSNL can turn around its fortune post Rs 1.64-trn govt package

The company must overcome poor technology decisions imposed on it and bridge the gap with private sector competitors

Govt proposes revamp of telecom rules to keep pace with modernisation

The Department of Telecom has floated a consultation paper on the revamp of telecom rules mainly to keep pace with the change in technology like 5G, simplify laws and promote investments

Govt should not allow backdoor entry to Big Tech for 5G auctions: COAI

The COAI said in a statement that the 5G spectrum should not be provided on an administrative basis as it leads to no business case for the rollout of 5G networks in the country

Govt must review private network guidelines: Broadband India Forum

Group says policy announcement gives no predictability to industry about 'way forward'

Confident that telecom players will make 5G auction a success: Vaishnaw

On captive private networks, the minister said the government has gone with the TRAI recommendations which were done in consultations with the industry

GatiShakti Sanchar portal launched; legal backing for RoW by Dec: Vaishnaw

Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday launched GatiShakti Sanchar portal that will centralise and speed up approvals for laying of fibre and tower installations, boosting upcoming 5G roll out

Trai seeks views from stakeholders on monitoring cross-media ownership

TRAI released a consultation paper on 'Issues Relating to Media Ownership' after the government asked it to reconsider its recommendations made in 2014

Next set of telecom reforms to ensure agile regulatory framework: Vaishnaw

The government is creating a framework "which should stay for next 30-40 years" through the upcoming round of reforms, the minister emphasised

Govt telecom revenues in FY'23 to be significantly higher than BE: Official

The telecom revenue collection is expected to be higher than the budget estimates of Rs 53,986.72 crore for the current financial year at Rs 71,959.24 crore

Long-awaited 5G spectrum auction expected in April-May 2022: Official

According to the DoT, 5G is expected to deliver download speed 10 times faster than 4G services

Telecom Minister urges for deployment of products designed, made in India

Citing better quality and costs, Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday made an aggressive pitch for adoption of products that are designed and made in India

Looking at 3 telcos' proposals on converting dues into equity: Vaishnaw

The government is examining proposals from three telecom companies keen to opt for converting interest on deferred spectrum and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues into equity, Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. The minister -- responding during Question Hour to a query if the government has any equity in private telecom firm Vodafone -- said a one-time option was given to telecom companies to either pay upfront the interest on AGR dues or convert it in the form of equity in lieu of that as part of the structural reforms announced in September last year. The one-time option was given to telecom companies to ensure the government's revenue is not compromised, he said. The minister said, "Three companies have exercised that option. We have received their letters and we are examining them." The option was also given because the telecom sector has been going through a tough phase for many years, due to which, the balance sheet of many companies is not go

Trai recommendation on 5G spectrum by March: Telecom Minister

The telecom minister Ashwani Vaishnaw on Tuesday said that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's recommendation on 5G spectrum is expected to come by March

Govt only an investor in telcos post conversion of liabilities: Vaishnaw

Debt liabilities will continue to remain with telcos after conversion of interest liabilities into equity, says Telecom Minister

CAG flags anomalies in accounts of units under IT, telecom ministries

The CAG on Monday reported multiple irregularities in the accounts of units under the IT and telecom ministries

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