Impact of India's Telecom Bill on startups, innovation and consumers
A series of discussions to increase public participation in upcoming tech policy reform
Jun 2023
26 Mon
27 Tue
28 Wed
29 Thu
30 Fri 05:30 PM – 07:00 PM IST
1 Sat
2 Sun
Context of the Draft Telecom Bill - Key Issues & Concerns
The draft Telecom BIll, published by the Indian government in September 2022, aims to bring significant changes to the telecom sector by replacing outdated laws, including the century-old Indian Telegraph Act of 1885. The telecom bill is expected to be introduced in the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament, and is likely to have a significant impact on businesses and consumers if adopted in its current form.
The bill deals with several key issues, including licensing norms, spectrum allocation, consumer protection and surveillance. Some of the key proposals include:
Some of these proposals raise serious concerns with respect to consumer privacy, ease of doing business and the overall impact on innovation.
Keeping this in mind, Hasgeek aims to foster greater engagement between policymakers and the technology community with a series of deliberations on the bill.
Why it is important to engage on this issue
The telecom industry is experiencing significant changes driven by technologies such as 5G, IoT, and AI, enabling innovative services and new business models. Telcos are diversifying into content and payments, while startups are entering sectors like agriculture and healthcare. An effective telecom bill is crucial to capitalise on these opportunities, incentivise innovation, and maintain operational efficiency.
However, the draft telecom bill raises serious concerns. It could increase costs for telecom operators and startups, hinder access to affordable services, and impede progress towards universal access goals. Moreover, the draft bill compromises user privacy. It expands government surveillance powers, introduces new identity verification norms, and weakens privacy rights. Additionally, the bill allows for arbitrary internet shutdowns during emergencies, without adequate safeguards.
To ensure a thriving telecom sector, it is essential to strike a balance between regulatory oversight and safeguarding user rights. For this to happen, policymakers, the technology community, users and civil society need to have a deeper dialogue on the proposed telecom bill.
Who should attend this discussion?
Key outcomes for participants
Agenda & Speakers
The online event on 30th June will be conducted as follows:
Contact information: For queries about the meetups, contact Hasgeek at support@hasgeek.com or call (91)7676332020.
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Accepting submissions
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Submissions will be made by the presenters for events under this project to set the context for the sessions.
Panel discussion summaryKey themes Innovation and business: The telecom industry is undergoing a radical transformation with the adoption of 5G, IoT, AI, etc. These new technologies are driving growth and new business models around multimedia content, payments, cybersecurity, healthcare etc. Is this draft bill going to support innovation and help startups capitalise on these opportunities, or hinder their growth? more
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amol CUTS comments on Draft Telecom BillCUTS Comments are available at https://cuts-ccier.org/pdf/comments-on-the-draft-telecom-bill-2022.pdf more
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Kunal Raj Barua Unpacking the Key Costs and Consequences of the New Telecom Bill: Report by Aapti InstituteIndia’s thriving digital economy and increasing citizen participation in the digital world has compelled regulation of the sector. In late 2022, the government introduced the Indian Telecommunication Bill with the objective of consolidating telecommunication legislation, addressing sectoral growth and prioritizing user safety with newer technological advancements. The bill proposes an expansive d… more
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Anwesha Sen Report: Impact of India's Telecom Bill on Startups, Innovation and ConsumersThe Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022 was released by the Department of Telecommunications in September 2022 for public feedback. The Bill is likely to have a significant impact on businesses and consumers if adopted in its current form, and to discuss these concerns, Rootconf organized a series of discussions. On 30th June 2023, stakeholders and civil society representatives came togethe… more
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