DoT enlists priorities for new government

The Department of Telecom (DoT), along with the Cabinet Secretary, has enlisted priority areas for the new government, including the security of telecom networks, infrastructure development and the introduction of new bills.

The DoT, in the list which would be presented before the new government, also mentioned the pending optical-fibre network project, which is aimed at providing high-speed broadband services to the 2.5 lakh village panchayats in the country.

The list also touched upon the achievements and failures of outgoing governments and the steps the department would like to take for its betterment.

The DoT brought up the introduction of the Communication Bill, that would replace the over-a-century-old Indian Telegraph Act of 1885, as well as the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act (1933), Trai Act (1997), Cable TV Network Act (1995) and IT Act (2000), official sources said.

The Telecom Department also stressed on the urgent need to strengthen mobile services along the country’s borders and a dedicated communication network for defence forces as part of security. Implementation of pan-India mobile number portability, mobile services across nine Maoist-affected states.