Telecom Bill 2023 : Retro spook hovers over telecom firms as Centre fails to keep promises made in draft telecom bill of 2022

The Telecom Bill 2023 has not specifically barred modification of the terms and conditions of a licence, registration, authorisation or assignment with retrospective effect — a promise that the Modi government had made in the draft telecom bill of 2022.

“The terms and conditions … shall not be modified with retrospective effect to the detriment of a licensee, registered entity or assignee,” clause 4 (2) of the draft bill of 2022 had promised.

These terms and conditions were linked to the grant of licence, registration, authorisation or assignment and included those relating to the payment of entry fees, licence fees, registration fees or any other fees or charges by whatever name called.