Date: 2025-08-13Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
TRAI responds to the DoT's back-reference dated 03.07.2025 on the TRAI's recommendations dated 17.02.2025 on the Terms and Conditions of Network Authorisations to be Granted Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023
**Summary:**
On August 13, 2025, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued its response to a backreference from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) dated July 3, 2025. The backreference concerned TRAI's recommendations, dated February 17, 2025, regarding the terms and conditions for network authorisations to be granted under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
The DoT originally requested these recommendations from TRAI on July 26, 2024, under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997, seeking guidance on the terms and conditions, including fees and charges, for authorising the establishment, operation, maintenance, or expansion of telecommunication networks as per the Telecommunications Act 2023. An addendum on October 17, 2024, requested TRAI to also consider authorisation for satellite communication networks under Section 31(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
Following consultations with stakeholders, TRAI submitted its recommendations to DoT on February 17, 2025. Subsequently, DoT issued a backreference on July 3, 2025, under Section 11 of the TRAI Act, 1997, requesting TRAI to reconsider specific recommendations where the government had preliminary concerns regarding their acceptance or potential need for modification. TRAI has since analyzed the government's preliminary views and submitted its response to DoT. The response is available on TRAI's website (www.trai.gov.in). For further information, contact Shri Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi, Advisor Networks, Spectrum and Licensing, TRAI, at telephone number 911120907758.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Communications: The Indian government ministry responsible for telecommunications and postal services.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): The statutory body regulating telecommunications in India.
Department of Telecommunications (DoT): A department under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
Telecommunications Act, 2023: A law related to telecommunications in India.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997: The law that established the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
Section 111a of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997: A specific section within the TRAI Act, 1997, related to recommendations from TRAI.
Section 31b of the Telecommunications Act, 2024: A specific section within the Telecommunications Act, 2024 related to satellite communication network authorization.
Shri Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi: Advisor Networks, Spectrum and Licensing at TRAI
Ministry of Communications
TRAI responds to the DoT's back-reference dated
03.07.2025 on the TRAI's recommendations dated
17.02.2025 on the Terms and Conditions of Network
Authorisations to be Granted Under the
Telecommunications Act, 2023
Posted On: 13 AUG 2025 4:02PM by PIB Delhi
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today issued its response to the back-reference
received from Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on the TRAI's recommendations dated 17.02.2025
on the Terms and Conditions of Network Authorisations to be Granted Under the Telecommunications Act,
2023.
Earlier, through a reference dated 26.07.2024 under Section 11(1)(a) of the Telecom Regulatory
Authority of India Act, 1997, DoT had requested TRAI to provide recommendations on terms and
conditions, including fees or charges, for authorisation to establish, operate, maintain or expand
telecommunication network as per the provisions of the Telecommunications Act 2023. Further,
through an addendum letter dated 17.10.2024, DoT had requested TRAI to consider an
authorisation for satellite communication network under section 3(1)(b) of the Telecommunications
Act, 2024.
After a comprehensive consultation with stakeholders, TRAI, on 17.02.2025, provided the Recommendations
on the Terms and Conditions of Network Authorisations to be Granted Under the Telecommunications Act,
2023 to DoT.
Thereafter, on 03.07.2025, DoT sent a back-reference under Section 11(1) of the TRAI Act, 1997
and requested TRAI to provide reconsidered recommendations in respect of some of the
recommendations on the Terms and Conditions of Network Authorisations to be Granted Under the
Telecommunications Act, 2023, where the Government reached a prima facie conclusion that such
recommendations may not be accepted or need modification.
After analysing the prima facie views of the Government on the TRAI’s recommendations, TRAI has
sent its response to the back-reference to DoT. TRAI's response to the back-reference has also
been placed on the TRAT's website (www.trai.gov.in).
For any clarification or information, Shri Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi, Advisor (Networks, Spectrum and
Licensing), TRAI may be contacted at Telephone Number +91-11-20907758.
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Samrat/Allen
(Release ID: 2156042)