Telecommunications Bill 2023 to be tabled in Lok Sabha today

Mumbai: The Telecommunications Bill 2023 will be tabled in Lok Sabha on 18 December i.e today.

The draft Telecommunications Bill released in 2023 had proposed to bring over-the-top or internet-based calling and messaging apps under the definition of telecommunications to enhance users’ safety.

The bill had also proposed to curb the power of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), on which industry players had raised concerns.

According to media reports, the definition of telecommunications services reportedly does not include OTT and this is believed to come as a relief for WhatsApp and Telegram as these communication service providers will be out of the scope of telecom regulations.