The Telecommunications Act, 2023 

• It provides clear definitions which reduces ambiguity and expands scope to include internet-based messaging services like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram. 
• Right of Way (RoW): Simplifies telecom infrastructure deployment on public/private property, including in airports, seaports, and highways. 
• National Security: Section 20(2) allows message transmission to be halted for public safety and emergencies, increasing entities authorized for interception. 
• Digital Bharat Nidhi: Replaces the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), enabling funding for research, development, and pilot projects. 
• User Protection 
  • Unsolicited commercial messages without consent may lead to fines or service bans. 
  • Do Not Disturb registers are mandatory. 
  • SIM card limits: 9 cards nationwide; 6 in Jammu & Kashmir and Northeast regions (violations incur fines up to ₹2 lakh). 
• Common Ducts: Aligns with PM Gati Shakti vision to establish cable corridors for efficient telecom infrastructure. 
• Regulatory Sandbox: Legal framework to promote telecom innovation. 
• Historical Context (1885-2023) 
  • Indian telecom regulations evolved through three laws: 
  • Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 
  • Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 
• Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950 (repealed in 2023). 
• The TRAI Act, 1997 established the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). 
• Licensing authority remains with the central government. 

This framework reflects a modernized approach to managing India's rapidly evolving telecom sector, balancing user protection, national security, and innovation.