
Telcos move Telecom Secy against shift to authorisation regime
Telecom operators are resisting the Department of Telecommunications' (DoT) decision to migrate to an authorisation regime, asking for the current practice of entering into contractual agreements with licensed entities to be kept in place.
They said the current approach is vital in maintaining regulatory certainty, protecting existing investments and ensuring sustained investment growth in the sector.
The telecom operators, through a letter from the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) to the telecom secretary Neeraj Mittal, cited examples of the ministries of coal and petroleum and natural gas which grants licenses to successful bidders in their respective fields that are contractual in nature.
ET has seen a copy of the letter.
The DoT wants all telecom license holders to migrate to an authorisation-based regime so that existence of two separate frameworks which leaves room for potential litigation can be avoided.
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The implementation of the authorisation-based regime is a part of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, which replaced the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. The new act uses the term 'authorisation' instead of 'license', calling for a fresh framework.
The new regime is different from the current where the telecom operator and the DoT enters into a contract, and the rules and regulations are part of the contract.
However, COAI, in its letter said the two terms practically mean the same. «The concept of permission is not new as the legislative and dictionary meaning of the term „license“