Government Regulation on Telecommunication Infrastructure
Data Localization Requirement
- The government has mandated that all telecommunication data, including network logs and information, must be stored within India.
- No copies of this data are allowed to be shared or routed outside the country.
- This requirement is part of a shift from a licensing regime to light regulation as per the Telecommunications Act 2023.
Authorization Framework
- The new framework allows entities like infrastructure providers, digital connectivity providers, and internet exchange point providers to seek authorization.
- The government may inspect sites and audit processes for compliance, even without notice if deemed necessary for public interest.
Designated Agency Role
- A designated agency will audit authorized entities but cannot collect information that harms competitive positions.
Responsibility of Infrastructure Providers
- Infrastructure providers are responsible for obtaining permissions to roll out networks, and delays in obtaining permissions do not justify non-compliance.
Industry Opinions
- Anupam Shrivastava of Submer India views the new rules as a major milestone for digital infrastructure, emphasizing data localization.
- Bharat Bhatia from ITU-APT Foundation of India highlighted unresolved issues regarding spectrum assignment for gateway earth stations.
The introduction of the "Cloud-Hosted Telecommunication Network Provider" category aims to integrate cloud data centers with telecom networks, featuring a low entry fee of ₹10 Lakhs and no annual authorization fees.
