On December 24, 2023, the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (Telecom Act) was enacted by way of publication in the Official Gazette after receiving Presidential assent.

The Telecom Act seeks to amend and consolidate laws relating to development and operation of telegraphs and telecommunication networks, possession of radio equipment, and repeal the current enactments namely the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 and the rules framed thereunder, and amend provisions of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, 1997 (Current Laws). Part III of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 will continue to apply to laying of transmission lines under the Section 164 of the Electricity Act, 2003.

As per its provisions, the Telecom Act may be brought into force fully or in a phased manner, i.e. different dates may be appointed for enactment of varied provisions. Pursuant to the aforementioned enablement, the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India (DoT) has by way of a notification dated June 21, 2024 published in the Official Gazette (Gazette Notification), appointed June 26, 2024 as the date (Appointed Day) on which the Sections 1, 2, 10 to 30, 42 to 44, 46, 47, 50 to 58, 61 and 62 of the Telecom Act will come into force (Notified Provisions). We have discussed in our update the salient provisions of the Telecom Act, including those that have now been notified.

Please read the details at Update – Staggered Enforcement of Telecommunications Act, 2023.