The DoT has deleted key network security<\/a> clauses that till now required telcos to locate their radio base stations, cell sites and radio transmitters at considerable distances to ensure mobile signals faded near India’s international borders.
Section 8.1 (i), which deals with security conditions under the Unified Licence (UL) Agreement, required operators to ensure their base stations\/radio transmitters are established far away from the international actual border to ensure the radio signals fade out when nearing or when about to cross the border. Telcos, in fact, had to deploy suitable infrastructure to fade and make mobile signals unusable around the border zones. This requirement has been scrapped via a DoT notification on Tuesday.
“The licensor reserves the right to modify the terms and conditions of the licence if it’s necessary or expedient to do so in public interest, or in the interest of the security of the state, or for proper conduct of the telegraphs,” the DoT said in a notification amending the rules around providing telecom connectivity<\/a> near the international border areas.
Industry<\/a> experts said the easing of the security drill will bolster mobile rollouts in the border areas and also improve existing mobile coverage. \"For instance, many Indians living in these areas often latched on to nearby mobile networks across the border in Bangladesh, China or Pakistan as the mobile signals of Indian carriers wasn't available due to the coverage restrictions...these will now go away, in that, Indians living in the border areas will now connect to domestic carriers since local mobile coverage will be deeper and stronger,\" said a senior industry executive.
Following the amendment, telcos also won’t require prior army clearances for setting up base stations, cell sites and radio transmitters in areas within 10 kms of the Line of Control (LoC), the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the international border between Akhnoor (in J&K) and Pathankot.
Operators also won’t need prior approvals of local army authorities or the DoT for installing base stations, cell sites, radio transmitters to provide new age M2M (machine-to-machine) communication services in the border areas falling within 10 kms of the Line of Control (LoC), the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the international border between Akhnoor (in J&K) and Pathankot.
Unlike person-to-person communication, M2M technologies involve communication between two devices. M2M services<\/a>, typically, involve a mobile network-driven remote communication between two entities or machines for automation needs, and their applications can vary from smart appliances to smart homes to even connected cars. This technology is a key component of the 5G-driven Internet of Things<\/a> (IoT) revolution.
In a major step towards ringing in ease of doing business, the latest amendment ensures telcos won’t face any surprise checks, inspections from army authorities or national security agencies to ensure compliance on these erstwhile network security parameters near the international border areas.
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