DoT amends Unified License for ILD service authorization in security sensitive areas

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) yesterday amended the Unified License (UL) for ILD service authorization in security-sensitive areas. The Department last week amended the ILD service authorization for ILD license (Other than UL) for security-sensitive areas. Yesterday’s amendment effectively ensures that all ILD licenses i.e UL or non-UL are impacted by the amendment.

DoT has amended Condition number 5.1 of the Unified License. The amendment shall be part and parcel of the Unified License Agreement and all other terms and conditions shall remain unchanged.

The amendment affects International Long Distance Service in Chapter XI in Part-II. The amendment will allow ILD Gateway Station (Transmission & Switching Centre) and Cable Landing Station (CLS) to be set up in security sensitive areas only with prior security clearance on a case to case basis.

The security-sensitive areas will be notified from time to time. As of date, the security-sensitive areas include Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, North Eastern States, border areas of Rajasthan, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and coastal areas of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu (excluding Chennai).

The existing clause did not allow setting up of ILD Gateway station (Transmission & Switching Centre) in security sensitive areas.