**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 682, answered on July 23, 2025, the Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), outlines several initiatives undertaken to enhance telecom infrastructure and security within India.
**Key initiatives include:**
* **Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Expansion:** To increase FTTH connections, DoT amended the Unified License on October 25, 2021, allowing internet service providers cum cable TV operators to deduct revenue from cable TV services when calculating Applicable Gross Revenue (ApGR).
* **Telecom Network Security:** DoT has notified the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024, and Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure Rules, 2024, under Section 22 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. A framework for the Telecommunication Cyber Security Incident Response Team (TCSIRT), a sectoral CERT, was issued on August 3, 2022. Service providers are mandated to conduct security audits through accredited agencies. The Telecom Security Operation Centre (TSOC) has been established to detect and alert stakeholders to potential cyber threats.
* **Fraud Prevention:** The Sanchar Saathi initiative enables citizens to report suspected fraudulent communication. DoT has also developed a secure Digital Intelligence Platform for sharing information related to telecom resource misuse among stakeholders to prevent cybercrime and financial fraud.
* **Data Centre Development:** Data Centres with a minimum capacity of 5 MW of IT load are included in the Harmonized Master List (HML) of Infrastructure Subsectors, under the Communications category as published by the Department of Economic Affairs.
* **Green Energy Initiatives:** Telecom towers are increasingly being powered by renewable energy sources, particularly solar, in remote areas. DoT is facilitating the installation of rooftop solar panels on government buildings and offices, aligning with the PM Suryaghar Yojana.
* **Telecom Manufacturing:** The DoT has not established any telecom manufacturing zones.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI BIPLAB KUMAR DEB: Member of Parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha.
DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR: Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development who provided the answer.
Department of Telecommunications (DoT): The department under the Ministry of Communications responsible for telecom policy and regulation.
Telecommunications Act, 2023: The legal framework under which the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024 and Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure Rules, 2024 are notified.
Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024: Rules notified under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 to secure telecom networks.
Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure Rules, 2024: Rules notified under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 related to critical telecom infrastructure.
Sanchar Saathi: An initiative by DoT for citizens to report suspected fraud communication.
PM Suryaghar Yojana: Government scheme to promote rooftop solar panels.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 682
ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025
INITIATIVES FOR SECURING TELECOM NETWORKS
682. SHRI BIPLAB KUMAR DEB:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether any steps have been taken or proposed to be taken by the Government for enhancing
fiber-to-the-home connections, securing telecom networks against threats, preventing fraud,
establishing telecom manufacturing, developing data centres and green energy initiatives; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (b) Government has taken following steps:
i. For improving the number of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connections: Vide Unified License
amendment date 25.10.2021 issued by Department of Telecommunications (DoT), revenue
from ‘activities under a license/ permission issued by Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting (including cable TV services)’ has been allowed to be deducted to arrive at
Applicable Gross Revenue (ApGR) for internet services cum cable TV operators.
ii. For securing telecom networks against threats: Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024 and
Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure Rules, 2024 have been notified under Section 22
of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 by DoT. Framework for the Telecommunication Cyber
Security Incident Response Team (TCSIRT), a sectoral CERT has been issued on 03.08.2022.
All service providers are mandated to audit their network or get the network audited from a
security point of view through an agency accredited under international standards. Further,
DoT has set up a Telecom Security Operation Centre (TSOC), for detecting potential cyber-
threats to telecom network of the country and providing alerts to stakeholders for necessary
actions.
iii. For preventing frauds: DoT has undertaken Sanchar Saathi initiative for citizens to report
suspected fraud communication. DoT has also developed an online secure Digital Intelligence
Platform for sharing of information related to misuse of telecom resources among the
stakeholders for prevention of cyber-crime and financial frauds.
iv. No telecom manufacturing zones has been established by DoT.
v. For development of Data Centres in the country: Data Centres with a minimum capacity of
five (5) MW of IT load are included in the Harmonized Master List (HML) of Infrastructure
Sub-sectors, under the Communications category as published by Department of Economic
Affairs.
1vi. For Green energy initiatives: A growing number of telecom towers are being powered
through renewable energy sources (mainly solar) especially in remote and difficult areas.
Further, in alignment with the PM Suryaghar Yojana, DoT is actively facilitating the
installation of rooftop solar panels on government buildings and offices under its
administrative control.
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