Defence Ministry eases rules for telecom infra roll out in its area
The Department of Defense has relaxed the rules for launching mobile towers, fiber optics, and other communications infrastructure equipment in its region in line with the “right-of-way (RoW)” rules notified by the Department of Communications in 2016.
A copy of the new rules uploaded to the Gati Shakti Portal on Thursday replaces the “Joint Telecom Tower and Other Telecom Infrastructure for Expansion of Telecom Network at Military Station/Camps” issued in February 2018.
As per the new rule, “…any application received for the installation of the underground/above-ground communication infrastructure of the Defense Ground shall henceforth be processed according to the Indian Telegraph.”
The Right-of-Way Rules 2016 (as amended from time to time) drafted by the Department of Communications” with certain additional terms.
For the installation of communications infrastructure in the areas within the camps, the cantonal council will have to request a prior No Objection Certificate (NoC) from the organization under whose administration the Defense Ground is located.
For all locations outside the civil zone, cantonal councils will seek a NOC number from the station headquarters from the security view, according to the new rule.
The General Manager of Estate Defense will develop and maintain an online portal for the electronic application process and integrate it with the Sanchar Portal of the Communications Department.
As per the rule, telecom service provider application received on GatiShakti Sanchar online portal will be considered as sanction after 60 days.
The Director General of the Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), said the revised policy of the Ministry of Defense fulfills a long-standing demand of the telecom industry and will provide a significant impetus for the installation of telecom infrastructure on the defense lands.
“This will enable the provision of 5G services to people residing in and near cantonment areas,” said Dua.