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Telecommunications

India

The Department of Telecommunications recently took steps for environmental protection by issuing guidelines on green technology standards. Among other things, the guidelines impose obligations on service providers for the increased utilisation of renewable energy technologies and 'green passport'-certified equipment in the telecommunications network.

The Department of Telecommunications issues a variety of licences for different types of telecommunications service. Recent discussions have focused on a possible reduction of the multiplicity of licences offered. Revised recommendations issued by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority suggest that the various licences be recategorised as unified licences, class licences and licensing through authorisation.

The Department of Telecommunications recently issued the 2012 National Telecommunications Policy. Although the policy does not change the existing law, it sets out the objectives and strategies that the government intends to adopt when introducing changes in the sector. Furthermore, it sets out the overall direction that the government is expected to take in regulating the sector.

The Department of Telecommunications has recently issued a draft of the National Telecommunications Policy 2011. As well as continuing the provision of affordable and effective access to telecommunications for all, the draft policy introduces strategies for streamlining licensing and permitting spectrum pooling, sharing and trading, looking to raise the standards of telecommunications services to a higher level.