Biometric identification will be mandatory for new SIM card, 3 years jail, 50 lakh fine for buying f

Telecommunication Bill passed in Lok Sabha: Biometric identification will be mandatory for new SIM card, 3 years jail, 50 lakh fine for buying fake SIM.

 On December 20, the new Telecommunication Bill 2023 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav. It got approval in the Lok Sabha, which is yet to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha. After being passed in both the Houses, it will be sent to the President for consideration. This bill has a special impact. There is a special provision in this bill that for buying a fake SIM, a provision of 3 years in jail and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh has been made.

 The Indian Telegraph Act, which regulates the telecom sector, is a 138-year-old bill that replaces The Indian Wireless Telegraph Act 1933 and is also going to amend the TRAI Act 1997.

 Essentials of biometrics.

 In this bill, telecom companies have been ordered to mandatorily implement biometrics for identification even before issuing SIM cards to consumers.

 Provisions of the bill.

 Due to national security reasons, the government has given a provision in this bill to allow take over, management or suspension of telecom service or network, that is, in case of war like situation, if necessary, the government will be able to intercept messages on the telecom network.

Changes in the licensing system.

 There is a provision in this bill that will also bring changes in the licensing system. Because currently, service providers have to obtain different licenses, permissions, approvals and registrations for different types of services, there are more than 100 licenses or registrations which are issued by the Telecom Department.

 Is issued.

 Before sending promotional messages, customer consent must be obtained.

 This bill makes it mandatory to obtain the consent of consumers before sending them advertisements and promotional messages for goods and services. It also states that the company providing telecom services will have to create an online mechanism through which users can lodge their complaints online.

 Ashwini Vaishnav told the important points of the bill.

 The jury agreed to the provision of 3 years' imprisonment and fine up to Rs 50 lakh for fraudulently obtaining a SIM.

 The special thing about the bill is that instead of more than 100 licenses, now only one simple authorization will have to be taken.

 Spectrum was reformed in the bill, there was nothing in the Act of 1885.

 To resolve this complaint, Digital by Design 4 Tier Framework has been created and a legal framework has been created to protect the telecom network in case of war-like situations.

 After the PUCL Judgment of 1996, there is such a system in the country that the provision for interception has been made in the bill. Arrangements have been made to develop new technology and new products from the Digital India Fund.

 A regulatory sandbox system has been created for innovation and technology development, that is, if someone wants to do innovation by using spectrum or telecom, it can be done within a limited scope.