Licenses for provision of Telecom Services are issued to Indian companies under Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. Unrestricted Internet telephony Services are permitted under the scope of Unified Access Service (UAS) in terms of the UAS Guidelines dated 14th December 2005. Similar provisions are there in Cellular Mobile Telephone Service (CMTS) and Basic Service Licence. Restricted Internet telephony Services [without connectivity to Public Switch Telephone Network(PSTN) / Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) in India] are permitted under the scope of Internet Service Licence in terms of Internet Service guidelines dated 1st April 2002 and 24th August 2007.
Further, services like voice call, chat, messaging, video conferencing etc. offered by certain foreign websites including Google, Skype etc. are available in public domain for free use and may be accessible to users through Internet services provided by Licensed Telecom Operators. Applicable charges for Internet services are accordingly levied.
Telecom service providers are to provide the facility of interception of communication passing through their network as per the terms and conditions of their respective Licence Agreement and as per the terms and conditions of Indian Telegraph Act 1885 read with Rule 419 (a) of Indian Telegraph Amendment Rules, 2007.
In an endeavor to curb illegal telecom services, 34 Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring (TERM) units have been created in the country by the Government. Continuous efforts are made for curbing the illegal telecom operations through the TERM units. Also, Other Service Providers (OSPs) have been directed to have Internet connectivity from the authorised Internet Service Providers.
Further, Information Technology Act 2000 has been amended by the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008 w.e.f. 27.10.2009 wherein enabling provisions have been made with reference to services being provided using computer resources including provisions for interception, monitoring and blocking for public access of any information through any computer resource.
This information was given by Shri Milind Deora, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
