Any order suspending telecom services must be public: New rule

The government has made it mandatory to make public all orders suspending telecom services, including internet shutdowns, with specific reasons, geographical area and duration, which cannot exceed 15 days.

- Aditi Agrawal

These requirements are part of the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024, which came into effect on November 22.

The rules, which replace the 2017 suspension rules, were released for public consultation on August 29. They have been issued under Section 20(2)(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, which empowers central and state governments to suspend telecom services during public emergencies or for public safety.