Explained | The Telecommunications Act, 2023 comes into force

The article explains the coming into force of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and its recently notified rules. This new legislation replaces the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, aiming to simplify India's telecom ecosystem. Key provisions include renaming the Universal Service Obligation Fund to Digital Bharat Nidhi, granting the government powers to regulate messaging apps and seize telecom infrastructure for national security, and retaining senior officials' authority for phone and internet tapping orders. The Act also shifts from a licensing to an 'authorisation' regime for telecom operators, adds anti-spam enforcement, and recognizes satellite internet, though implementation details are still awaited.