Know all about the Telecom Act which came into effect on June 26

The Telecommunications Act 2023, along with certain provisions, came into force on June 26. The Act that replaces earlier laws governing the sector has been enacted to keep pace with emerging technologies. Several countries including the US, UK and Singapore have updated their legislation to deal with innovation in the telecom sector.

Process To Frame The Act: The Department of Telecommunications
(DoT) initiated the process in July 2022 and a draft Bill was put out for consultation in September that year. During the consultation process, 60 ministries, 35 associations, 89 companies including seven telcos and internet service providers, and over 700 other entities responded. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 18, 2023, and was passed by the Lower House of Parliament on December 20, 2023 and the Rajya Sabha on the following day. It received the assent of the President on December 24, 2023, and has now become the Telecommunications Act, 2023.