A comparative briefing for Virtual Network Operators on the shift from the Unified License (VNO) Agreement (Indian Telegraph Act, 1885) to the Telecommunications (Authorisation for Provision of Principal Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026, notified under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. Executive Summary The Telecommunications Act, 2023 replaces the licensing architecture built on the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 with a statutory "authorisation" regime. For VNOs, the pra

New DoT framework requires OTT communication platforms using Indian mobile numbers to align with stronger security practices similar to those followed in banking and digital payment systems.

On July 22, 2025, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) called a meeting of the Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR), uniting key stakeholders from RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA, MeitY, DoT, MHA, and now NPCI.