TRAI releases recommendations on ‘Licensing Framework
Recently Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued recommendations related to ‘Licensing Framework and Regulatory Mechanism for laying of submarine cables in India’.
Through this framework, the rules related to setting up submarine (under the sea) Cable Landing Station (CLS) in India will be simplified.
In August 2022, the Department of Telecom raised concerns related to Submarine Cable (SMC) and Cable Landing Station (CLS). It was also asked to make some recommendations to address these concerns.
SMCs are laid on the seabed. It connects countries digitally. Also, they interconnect terrestrial telecommunication networks.
In contrast, CLS is the place in the country where a submarine cable comes above ground (CLS).
Key Points:
Operation and Maintenance services of CLS and Submarine Cable (SMC) can be given the status of Essential Services and Critical Information Infrastructure (CII).
CLS and Submariner:
- Goods and materials required for operation and maintenance of cables should be exempted from customs duty and GST.
- Applications for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance required for SMC and CLS can also be done online as a part of the Saral Sanchar portal.
- A clause should be included in the Indian Telecom Bill, 2022 to promote, protect and give priority to ‘CLS’ and ‘SMC’ in India.
- The Bill provides a mechanism for using the right of way to create telecom infrastructure. ‘Right of way’ means the right of way through real property owned by another person/entity.
Source – PIB
