Department of Telecom Lifts Restrictions on Mobile Network Connectivity Near Borders: Details

The Department of Telecom (DoT) announced on Tuesday that it had removed restrictions on telecom operators offering connectivity near international border areas. The licence norms previously stated that operators would have to “fade out” their network signal, ahead of the international border around the country, which would require the installation of special equipment. The amended norms also include the deletion of security conditions that allowed for surprise inspection on operators in those areas.  

In a move that could improve connectivity in locations around the border, the DoT on Tuesday announced in a circular that it was amending the lience norms to remove restrictions on telecom connectivity near international border areas. 

Previously, the security conditions under the unified license agreement stated that telecom operators had to ensure that base stations, cell sites, or radio transmitters were to provide connectivity and mobile telephone services as far away from the borders as feasible. 

At the same time operators were previously required to ensure — using technical infrastructure — that the radio signal was “faded out” when nearing, or about to cross the international border. 

The circular also deletes clauses pertaining to surprise checks by the telecom department, or the army and security agencies, to ensure compliance of the now-deleted security conditions, which included a stern action for violation of the norms, including a financial penalty.