Economics times 19,Dec 2023 Daily News Analysis THE TELECOMMUNICATION BILL, —023 tye Presented by: Guna Shekar 2023001917Introduction THE TELECOMMUNICATION BILL, 2023. * ABILL to amend and consolidate the law relating to development, expansion and operation of telecommunication services and telecommunication networks; assignment of spectrum; and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. + The Indian Telegraph Act 1885, Wireless Telegraphy Act 1933, and The Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act 1950.Critical Definitions Critical telecommunication infrastructure The Central Government may. by notification in the Official Gazette. declare any telecommunication network, or part thereof, as Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure, disruption of which shal have debilitating impact on national security, economy, public health or safety Telecommunication Telecommunication means transmission, emission or reception of any messages, by wire, radio, optical or other electro-magnetic systems, whether or not such messages have been subjected to rearrangement, ‘computation or other processes by any means in the course of their transmission, emission or reception Message “message” means any sign, signal, writing, text, image, sound, video, data stream, intelligence or information sent through telecommunication,Key Takeaways |. Network takeover: Central, State Govts can take over telecom service or network, in case of public safety or public emergencies 2. Exceptions for defense, police, ISRO, BSNL, MTNL: The Central Government shall assign spectrum for telecommunication through auction except for entries listed in the First Schedule for which assignment shall be done by administrative process 3.No auctioning of Spectrum for Space Communication : In First Schedule includes Certain satellite-based services 4,A New 4-Tier Dispute Resolution structure 5.Consent based mechanism for commercial communication now granted statutory status (DND) 6.Introducing penalty for violation or consent based mechanismKey Takeaways 7.The Central coe may, to enable more efficient use of spectrum, re-farm or harmonise any frequency range assigned * "harmonisation" means rearrangement of a frequency range * "re-farming" means repurposing of a frequency range for a different use, other than that for which it is used by an existing assignee. Difference from draft bill 2022 # Tech companies happy with OTTs being removed from regulatory regulatory mechanism * Clarity Whatsapp, Meta, Signal to be regulated by Meity Bill is vertical legislation aimed only at telcosIndustry Reactions m= VICEO, Moondra The Bill represents a watershed ‘moment in the telecom reform process and reaffirms the commitment of the government to provide Indian telecom with a Future-fit framework == Broadband India Forum The telecom bl enables the government toallocate satellite | spectrum administratively, aligning with global norms. This clarity expected to attract global investors, = Bharti Airtel CEO, Gopal Viteal The Bill wll bring predictabil crucial areas related to spectrum such as harmonization, surrender of unused spectrum, primary and secondary assignments among that helps achieve the growth boost FDI in India's space sector. and aspirations of a new India, enhance satellite services’ others | fordabilSatcom services * Qualcomm open to working with Airtel’s OneWeb and Jio for mobile Satcom services * We are open to collaborating with both service operators (OneWeb and JioSatellite Communications) and smartphone OEMs regarding their satellite connectivity needs on mobile devices using Qualcomm Technologies," Qualcomm India president Savi Soin said. ¢ Elon Musk's Starlink, too, is likely to soon receive the same permit, as the Indian government is reportedly satisfied with the company's responses around data storage and transfer norms.3 Jan, 2024 IPO ring in 2024 * Companies eye 1Lcr via listing vs 49,000cr in 2023 * Average size of such offering is expected to double to 2000cr * Companies like Ola Electric, OYO, Swiggy, Aakash educational services with tentative amount of 8300cr and PayU-5000cr, NDSL-4500 State Bank of India(SBI) * SBI rasies $1billion in offshore syndicated loan arranged by HSBC « Sixteen bank across Taiwan, south korea, the philippiness, the Middle East and the Europe participated in tranche * The success of this tranaction reflects the improvement in th bank’s credit} and business profile4 Jan, 2024 Adani ports * Adani ports plan to raise 5000cr via Non-coverable Debenture * NCD’s will have face value of Rs 1000 each through one or more tranches * Gautam Adani is redesignated to Exicutive Chairman and Karan Adani is set to be Managing director from CEO position. VinFast * Vietnam’s EV Maker VinFast to setup a manufacturing facility, where it will make batteries * The company will make batteries at thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, one person familiar with the matter said * VinFast said in a statement on wednesday it will announce at appropriate time