The Indian government has abolished the nearly 37 years old Digital Communications Commission (DCC). DCC was a premier inter-departmental decision making body of the Department of Telecommunications. Decisions were made for the policy-related issues concerning telecommunications in India and matters involving huge economic significance. On 19th September, the government released a notification in this regard. This step would bring about a paradigm shift in the policy decision making mechanism in the telecommunications sector.

It was formed in 1989 as the Telecom Commission during the period of PM Rajiv Gandhi. It was formed by the resolution of the Government of India on April 11, 1989. Later, in 2018, it was renamed as the Digital Communications Commission. It was endorsed by the Union Cabinet in September 2018 under the National Digital Communications Policy-2018 (NDCP-2018). The notification in this regard was issued in October 2018.

The notification clearly stated that the Government of India has decided to abolish the Digital Communications Commission. The Digital Communications Commission shall be deemed to be dissolved from the date of issue of this resolution. This decision marks a significant administrative change in the telecom sector.

The Commission was a top decision-making body, comprising senior officials from NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Finance, and the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, among other departments. The Commission played a key role in resolving contentious issues. It decided on most telecom matters before sending them to the Cabinet for final approval. It assisted in deciding on key matters such as spectrum pricing and recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Its primary function was to formulate and implement a robust policy framework for the telecom sector.

The body's final meeting was held on September 3rd. The decision regarding the allocation of satcom spectrum was finalized at this meeting. Elon Musk-led Starlink, Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, and Reliance Industries Limited's Jio Satellite Communications have been granted permission to launch satcom services in India. This decision is considered crucial for the future of satellite communications services in India. The Commission granted these companies preliminary permission to launch their services in India.

However, these satcom services cannot be launched without spectrum allocation. Additionally, a second-stage security clearance from security agencies is required. The Digital Communications Commission has already approved most of the suggestions made by the telecom regulator TRAI. Its recommendation on satcom spectrum now needs to be finally approved by the Union Cabinet. Only after this process is completed will these companies be able to launch their services. This final approval will pave the way for these companies to operate in India.

The Indian government has abolished the nearly 37 years old Digital Communications Commission (DCC). DCC was a premier inter-departmental decision making body of the Department of Telecommunications. Decisions were made for the policy-related issues concerning telecommunications in India and matters involving huge economic significance. On 19th September, the government released a notification in this regard. This step would bring about a paradigm shift in the policy decision making mechanism in the telecommunications sector.

It was formed in 1989 as the Telecom Commission during the period of PM Rajiv Gandhi. It was formed by the resolution of the Government of India on April 11, 1989. Later, in 2018, it was renamed as the Digital Communications Commission. It was endorsed by the Union Cabinet in September 2018 under the National Digital Communications Policy-2018 (NDCP-2018). The notification in this regard was issued in October 2018.

The notification clearly stated that the Government of India has decided to abolish the Digital Communications Commission. The Digital Communications Commission shall be deemed to be dissolved from the date of issue of this resolution. This decision marks a significant administrative change in the telecom sector.

The Commission was a top decision-making body, comprising senior officials from NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Finance, and the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, among other departments. The Commission played a key role in resolving contentious issues. It decided on most telecom matters before sending them to the Cabinet for final approval. It assisted in deciding on key matters such as spectrum pricing and recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Its primary function was to formulate and implement a robust policy framework for the telecom sector.

The body's final meeting was held on September 3rd. The decision regarding the allocation of satcom spectrum was finalized at this meeting. Elon Musk-led Starlink, Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, and Reliance Industries Limited's Jio Satellite Communications have been granted permission to launch satcom services in India. This decision is considered crucial for the future of satellite communications services in India. The Commission granted these companies preliminary permission to launch their services in India.

However, these satcom services cannot be launched without spectrum allocation. Additionally, a second-stage security clearance from security agencies is required. The Digital Communications Commission has already approved most of the suggestions made by the telecom regulator TRAI. Its recommendation on satcom spectrum now needs to be finally approved by the Union Cabinet. Only after this process is completed will these companies be able to launch their services. This final approval will pave the way for these companies to operate in India.