**Executive Summary**
This document provides the response to Unstarred Question No. 708, regarding the suspension of internet services. The question was raised by Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha, Shri Neeraj Maurya, and Shri Lalji Verma and is to be answered on February 4th, 2026. It addresses the government's stance on internet suspensions, their impact, steps to ensure connectivity, and financial data on shutdowns.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Authority for Suspension:**
* The Central or State Governments can issue temporary internet suspension orders.
* This is governed by the Telecommunication (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024, under the Indian Telecommunication Act, 2023.
* **Services During Suspension:**
* During temporary suspensions, generally, only internet services are suspended.
* Other telecommunication services, like voice calling and SMS, remain available.
* **Conditions for Suspension Orders:**
* Before issuing a suspension order, the competent authority must explore reasonable alternatives to address public emergency and safety concerns.
* If a suspension is deemed necessary, the order must be published with a clear reason, limited geographical area, and specified duration.
* **Data on Financial Losses:**
* No data is available with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) regarding the financial losses incurred due to internet shutdowns.
**Impact Analysis**
**Citizens/General Public**
* **Impact:** Temporary internet suspension may disrupt daily activities, especially those reliant on online services. However, voice calling and SMS will remain available for communication and emergency access.
* **Action Required:** Be aware that internet services may be temporarily suspended, but alternatives for communication will be available.
**Businesses (Multinational, National, etc.)**
* **Impact:** Business operations may be affected due to temporary suspension of internet services.
* **Action Required:** Understand that the government needs to explore all reasonable alternatives to address public emergency and safety concerns before issuing a suspension.
**Government (Central/State)**
* **Impact:** They must ensure the rules for temporary suspension of internet services are followed, including exploring alternatives and clear communication regarding the suspension.
* **Action Required:** Before issuing a suspension order, explore all reasonable alternatives to address public emergency and safety concerns. If a suspension is deemed necessary, the order must be published clearly stating the reason and be limited to defined geographical area and specified duration.
**Department of Telecommunications (DoT)**
* **Impact:** Answer the question on behalf of the Minister of Communications.
* **Action Required:** Ensure there is readily available data to the financial losses incurred due to internet shutdowns.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Telecommunication Act, 2023: Act under which rules for temporary suspension of services are notified.
Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024: Rules governing temporary suspension of telecommunication services.
Department of Telecommunications: Relevant ministry department
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 708
TO BE ANSWERED ON 4TH FEBRUARY, 2026
SUSPENSION OF INTERNET SERVICES
†708. SHRI BABU SINGH KUSHWAHA:
SHRI NEERAJ MAURYA:
SHRI LALJI VERMA:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government and local administration impose ban or suspend internet services
for short or long durations in various cities from time to time for maintaining law and order and for
certain other reasons;
(b) whether the Government is aware that suspension of internet services causes serious
difficulties to employees working in multinational and national companies, salaried persons,
businessmen, students, candidates preparing for competitive examinations and those engaged in
online work;
(c) whether the Government proposes to take any steps to ensure uninterrupted internet
connectivity; and
(d) whether the Government has any data regarding the financial losses incurred due to internet
shutdowns during the last five years?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) The Central Government or State Governments are empowered to issue orders for temporary
suspension of internet as per the provisions contained in the Telecommunication (Temporary
suspension of Services) Rules, 2024 under section 20 (2) (b) of Indian Telecommunication Act, 2023.
(b) & (c) Generally, during the temporary suspension of telecommunication services in a
region, only internet services are suspended and other telecommunication services like voice calling
and Short Message Service (SMS) remain available through which people in that region can
communicate and access emergency services.
As per the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024 notified
under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the competent authority must first explore all reasonable
alternatives to address the public emergency and public safety concerns before issuing an order for
the temporary suspension of internet services. If such a suspension is deemed necessary, then the
suspension order must be published clearly stating the reason and be limited to defined geographical
area and specified duration.
(d) No such data is available with the DoT.
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