Telecom

DoT has announced that its previous directive making panic buttons mandatory in mobile phones is applicable to existing phones as well. The earlier notification had stated that it is mandatory for all handset makers to […]

TRAI has issued a consultation paper on the issue of “free data” which explores ways to provide free internet access to consumers without violating differential pricing regulations. The paper discusses the need for having a […]

The Telecom Commission has proposed a 3 per cent spectrum usage charge (SUC) for the upcoming spectrum auction, scheduled for July 2016. The commission has also proposed a new weighted average method to calculate the […]

TRAI has sought powers from DoT to levy a penalty of up to Rs 100 million and a jail term of up to two years on executives of telecom companies that fail to meet the […]

The Supreme Court has struck down the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) directive imposing a penalty on operators for call drops on the grounds that it was arbitrary and unconstitutional. The apex court, while […]

DoT has released license guidelines for virtual network operators (VNOs). The guidelines allow VNOs to create their own service delivery platforms for providing customer services, billing and value-added services. Here, VNOs are regarded as an […]

For spectrum trading rules, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has clarified that it will only indicate the status of dues of the seller, but the buyer will need to do its own due diligence. DoT […]

Bharti Airtel has signed definitive agreements with Aircel and its subsidiaries, Dishnet Wireless and Aircel Cellular, to acquire the right to use 20 MHz of spectrum in the 2300 MHz band across eight circles. These […]

DoT has made the panic button and global positioning system (GPS) facilities mandatory on all mobile handsets. As per the new rules, all mobile handsets sold in the country from January 2017 need to feature […]

The Supreme Court of India has reserved its order on the telecom operators’ plea against the Delhi High Court order that had upheld the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) compensation mechanism for call drops. […]

DoT has amended the unified access service license agreement, allowing interconnection of internet protocol (IP)-based networks with telecom networks. At present, a telecom licence has provisions for connecting a circuit switch-based network with another circuit […]

DoT has notified guidelines for the liberalisation of spectrum allocated without auction. This comes after the cabinet approved the same in April 2016. As per the guidelines, the most recent price recommended by TRAI will […]

The Telecom Commission has approved the reserve prices recommended by TRAI for the upcoming spectrum auction. The commission has, however, rejected TRAI’s recommendations on easier payment options for operators in the auction. The commission, meanwhile, […]

Further, the Supreme Court has dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a non-governmental organisation challenging the grant of a 4G licence to Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL). The PIL had sought the cancellation […]

The central government has clarified that no service tax will be applicable on one-time charges paid for spectrum purchased before April 1, 2016, even if the payment for the spectrum is being made in instalments. […]

The Department of Revenue has extended the anti-dumping duty on the import of telecom gear equipment from Chinese and Israeli vendors for another five years. The department had first imposed anti-dumping duty on these vendors […]

Aircel has signed a pan-Indian 2G intra-circle agreement with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). The move is expected to help both companies deliver enhanced customer experience besides utilising each other’s assets and network strength. BSNL […]

RCOM is planning to upgrade its CDMA customers to the 4G network in a phased manner from May 2016. To this end, RCOM will leverage the spectrum sharing and trading agreement it had signed with […]

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) has received Rs 4.28 billion from the government for surrendering spectrum in the 800 MHz band which is used for providing CDMA services. This comes after the government approved a […]

Bharti Airtel has entered into a definitive agreement with Videocon Telecom to acquire the latter’s spectrum in the 1,800 MHz band in six circles – Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh (West) […]