Critical telecom infra rules come into effect

THE SECTION EMPOWERS THE CENTRE TO NOTIFY TELECOM NETWORKS AS CTI IF THEIR DISRUPTION IS SEVERELY IMPACTFUL

- Aditi Agrawal

Telecom entities whose networks are designated as Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure (CTI) must give access to government-authorized personnel to inspect hardware, software and data of certified CTI parts, according to new rules that came into effect on November 22.

The Telecommunications (Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure) Rules, 2024, were released for public consultation on August 29 under Section 22(4) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. The section empowers the central government to notify telecom networks as CTI if their disruption could severely impact national security, economy, public health or safety.