(Continued from previous article)
The New Telecom Bill (NTB) is divided into the following 10 different Chapters.
| Chapter | Sections | Title |
| 1 | 1 | Short Title, Extent and Commencement |
| 2 | 2 | Definitions |
| 3 | 3-11 | Licensing, Registration, Authorization and Assignment |
| 4 | 12-18 | Right of Way for Telecommunication Infrastructure |
| 5 | 19-22 | Restructuring, Defaults in Payment and Insolvency |
| 6 | 23-26 | Standards, Public Safety and National Security |
| 7 | 27-31 | Telecommunication Development Fund |
| 8 | 32 | Innovation and Technology Development |
| 9 | 33-34 | Protection of Users |
| 10 | 35-46 | Miscellaneous |
| 11 | 47-51 | Offences |
| 12 | 52-53 | Repeal and Savings |
| Schedule | 1 | Spectrum Assignment for Government functions or purposes in view of public interest or necessity |
| Schedule | 2 | Broadcasting services requiring license as of the appointed date |
| Schedule | 3 | Offences and Penalties |
| Schedule | 4 | Penalties in breach of terms and conditions |
| Schedule | 5 | Telecommunication Infrastructure |
Compared to the Communication Convergence Bill there is a distinct shift in the design of the Act from being “An act to set up a Communication Communication Commission” to a more practical face of the Act to address the issues that affect the users and protect the national interests.
It may be recognized that the TRAI Act and the Cable Television regulation Act have come into being since the old draft and hence some of the administrative issues were perhaps not required to be addressed now.
Let us take up the analysis of the Bill chapter by Chapter in the follow up articles.
Naavi
(continued)
