The Department of Telecommunications (‘DoT’) by way of notification dated July 29, 2019 issued directions to all unified license holders (‘ULs’) with access service authorization as well as all unified access service licensees/ basic service licensees. The direction mandates that all ULs intimate the deputy director general (compliance), DoT (‘DDG’), in the concerned licensed service area, of the details of Unified License (Virtual Network Operator) (‘UL(VNO)’) Category ‘B’ licensees whom they have entered into agreements with, within 15 days of the date of the agreement. Such details must include: (i) name of UL(VNO) Category ‘B’ licensee(s); (ii) district(s) for which agreement is entered into; (iii) agreement number; (iv) date of agreement; and (v) the period of agreement. The direction also requires ULs to intimate the DDG about any amendment to such arrangements within 15 days of the said amendment.

Further, the details of such UL(VNO) Category ‘B’ licensee(s), providing services after parenting with the main ULs along with their status (being active/inactive) is required to be intimated to the DDG on January 1 and July 2 of each year. Lastly, the directions require that prior to entering into agreements with UL(VNO) Category ‘B’ licensee(s), ULs must ensure that security requirements as per the license agreement and requirements of law enforcement agencies are fully complied with.