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INITIATIVES FOR SECURING TELECOM NETWORKS

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INITIATIVES FOR SECURING TELECOM NETWORKS

Government has taken following steps:

This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

  1. 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.
     
  2. 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.    
  3. 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.
     
  4. 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.
     
  5. 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.