DoT Notifies Authorisation Framework through New Telecommunication Rules under the Telecommunications Act, 2023

The DoT has notified the Telecommunications (Terms and Conditions for Migration) Rules, 2026, the Service Authorisation rules for captive, principal and miscellaneous telecommunication services, and the Network Authorisation Rules, 2026. Together, these rules set out the principal framework for how telecom service providers, enterprise network operators, infrastructure providers and related market participants will enter, migrate and operate under the new regime.

Key highlights are outlined below:

1. Migration from legacy licences: Existing licensees may migrate to corresponding authorisations where the scope and service or network area of the new authorisation fully covers the existing licence. The migration rules prescribe application timelines, letter of intent conditions and treatment of fees and guarantees, while making clear that migration will not extinguish existing roll-out obligations, government dues, pending violations, penalties or other licence-related liabilities. 

2. Service Authorisations: The service authorisation rules consolidate the regulatory framework for principal telecom services, captive telecom services and specified miscellaneous services. Principal service authorisations cover public telecom services through Network Service Operator and Virtual Network Operator models, while captive authorisations address enterprise-owned networks used only for internal requirements. The miscellaneous services framework covers categories such as Public Mobile Radio Trunking, enterprise communications, machine-to-machine services, PM-WANI services, in-flight and maritime connectivity, and aeronautical data communication services. Across these categories, the rules prescribe eligibility, application processes, fees and guarantees, operational conditions, infrastructure sharing, reporting, security and, where applicable, localisation requirements. 

3. Network Authorisation: The Network Authorisation Rules create a separate framework for entities establishing, operating, maintaining or expanding telecommunications networks. The rules recognise categories including infrastructure provider, digital connectivity infrastructure provider, internet exchange point provider, satellite earth station gateway provider, cloud-hosted telecommunication network provider and mobile number portability provider. This is a significant development because it separates network infrastructure from service provisioning, recognises emerging infrastructure models such as satellite gateway and cloud-hosted networks, and facilitates infrastructure sharing on fair and non-discriminatory terms, subject to enhanced security and compliance oversight. 

Conclusion:

The new framework is expected to require existing and prospective telecom sector participants to map their current activities to the corresponding authorisation category, assess migration timelines and financial requirements, and revisit compliance systems for governance, security, reporting, network access, equipment procurement and data-related obligations. For businesses, the shift is not merely procedural; it restructures how telecom services and infrastructure are authorised, supervised and expanded under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.The notified rules mark an important step in implementing the Telecommunications Act, 2023 by moving core telecom activities into a more structured authorisation regime. While the framework should provide greater regulatory clarity and long-term certainty, operators and infrastructure providers will need to plan carefully for migration, financial exposure and ongoing security-led compliance obligations.