Policies of the Government aimed at ensuring an Open, Safe and Trusted and Accountable Internet for its users
The Central Government, in exercise of powers conferred by the IT Act, has made the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These rules cast specific obligation on intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, to observe due diligence and provide that if they fail to observe such due diligence, they shall no longer be exempt from their liability under law for third-party information or data or communication link hosted by them.
Central Government has undertaken a series of reform measures to promote India’s upcoming drone industry
The Government is utilising services of Drone service providers for vaccine delivery, inspection of oil pipelines and power transmission lines, anti-locust operations, agricultural spraying, survey of mines, land mapping under SWAMITVA scheme for issuance of digital property cards, etc. Drone Training Schools have also been set up in various States which have the potential of being a game changer in the promotion and development of drone applications.
MeiTY introduces four new schemes for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors
The incentive will be available to the approved projects under the scheme for the investment made within 5 years from the date of acknowledgment of the application subject to capital expenditure meeting the minimum threshold value and commencement of commercial production, and compliance to other terms and conditions stipulated in Scheme /Guidelines / Approval Letter.
Telecom Service Providers to submit the report on revenue and usage to TRAI
TRAI has directed all Telecom Service Providers to submit the report on revenue and usage to the Authority, on a quarterly basis, within 45 days from the date of the end of the respective quarter.
Telecom Tariff (69th Amendment) Order, 2022
Considering the significance of alerts/messages sent as per direction issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Authority has decided that no charges shall be levied for such SMS/Cell Broadcast – Alerts/messages sent either during the disaster or prior to notification of disaster or after the expiry of disaster.
DoT issues guide for generic testing procedure for the implementation of Mobile Number Portability (Seventh Amendment) Regulations, 2018 for the new entrants
This Test Guide aims at uniform assessment of the implementation of MNP regulation up to the Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability (7th Amendment) Regulations, 2018 (9 of 2018) for the newly licensed network operators. This new test guide is generic in nature and will allow the operators’ pairing as per the choice of LSA.
DoT Issues Clarifications on Removal of Export Requirements and Extension in Timelines for IMEIs of Locally Manufactured Phones
The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has examined the requests of various industry associations and has conceded that the requirement of registration of IMEIs of mobile phones being manufactured in India for export is kept in abeyance till further orders. However it has stated that rule 4 (1) of the Prevention of Tampering of the Mobile Device Equipment Identification Number (Amendment) Rules, 2022 shall come into force with effect from January 1, 2023.
Guidelines for Platform Services offered by Multi-System Operators
These guidelines have been issued to ensure that the network capacity of Cable Operators is utilized primarily for the same. Further, these guidelines mandate the adherence to Programme Code and Advertisement Code with respect to content on PS channels and help in combating the menace of Piracy.
TRAI releases Consultation Paper on ‘Introduction of Calling Name Presentation in Telecommunication Networks’
CNAP facility requires intertelecom service provider coordination and access to a subscriber’s name during the call flow.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Issues Guidelines for Platform Services offered by Multi-System Operators.
Only entities registered as Companies are allowed to provide local news and current affairs. MSOs not registered as “company” and desirous of providing local news and current affairs are mandatorily required to apply within 3 months with Ministry of Corporate Affairs for conversion into “company”.
