SIM binding rules firm, national security is top priority: Scindia

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that the government will not relax SIM binding rules, prioritizing national security. He also confirmed TRAI has submitted spectrum auction recommendations and the govt is eager to start satellite services.

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that the government maintained its stance on SIM binding rules, prioritising national security over revenue implications. Speaking to the media off camera, the Minister clarified that there was "no thought on relaxing the mandatory logout of web sessions beyond six hours." He noted that the "rules stood as they were" and the "logout requirement was only meant for virtual connections rather than direct connections on phones." As per Scindia, security issues took precedence on national interest grounds when weighed against potential revenue impacts.

Next Spectrum Auction

Regarding the timelines for the next spectrum auction, the Minister confirmed that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had submitted its recommendations. He said that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) would take a view on the matter. The department was expected to come out with recommendations across various spectrum bands and reserve pricing. Scindia noted that these "recommendations would be evaluated and the specific timeline would be released at a later date."

Progress on Satellite Spectrum

The Minister also addressed the progress of satellite spectrum allocation, stating that he is "eager to start satellite services in India." He explained that the initiation of these services depended on the responsibility of fixing the price of spectrum assignment and ensuring all security compliances were fulfilled. He mentioned that when both conditions were met, the spectrum could be allocated. Scindia said that the government was "doing its best to get that spectrum assignment price on board," and the effort was currently underway to get it done.

On Adjusted Gross Revenue Relief

On the matter of Adjusted Gross Revenue relief being sought by other telecommunications companies, Scindia stated that the Department of Telecommunications was operating under the Supreme Court verdict with respect to Vodafone Idea. He also noted that "any other telecommunications operator who had a desire for similar relief could take the same route." (ANI)

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