Telecom Network Rules Notified 20 July 2026 Set Six Authorisation Categories, One New
Six network authorisation categories, including one new digital connectivity category, are set out in rules notified on 20 July 2026 by the Department of Telecommunications.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) notified the Telecommunications (Authorisation for Telecommunication Network) Rules, 2026 on 20 July 2026. The rules set up six authorisation categories for parts of a telecom network and set conditions on where network data is kept.
The rules give effect to Section 3(1)(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. According to a Legal500 summary, there was no dedicated licence for internet exchanges under the Unified Licence regime, and satellite gateways formed part of the relevant service licence.
Medianama reports that the rules replace the network-side licensing regime under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and that they took effect on publication. The DoT's listing for the rules says the Saral Sanchar Portal and NSWS no longer accept new applications under the 1885 Act, and that applicants may log in to the authorisation portal under the 2023 Act from 25 June 2026 onwards.
Six Categories, One of Them New
The rules cover six categories: infrastructure providers (IP), digital connectivity infrastructure providers (DCIP), internet exchange point providers (IXP), satellite earth station gateway providers (SESG), cloud-hosted telecommunication network providers (CTN) and mobile number portability providers (MNP).
DCIP is described as a new category. The other five are explained in the sections below, with fees and tenure set out later.
Every authorisation is non-exclusive. Medianama cites Rule 7(4) as allowing the DoT to authorise any number of entities for the same network in the same area.
The DoT's listing also shows other 2026 authorisation rules, including the Authorisation for Provision of Principal Telecommunication Services Rules, 2026 and the Authorisation for Captive Telecommunication Services Rules, 2026, both dated 23 June 2026.
Infrastructure and Digital Connectivity Providers
An infrastructure provider sets up and shares the passive layer of a network, which Medianama lists as towers, ducts, dark fibre, rights of way and in-building solutions (IBS). Medianama reports that under Rule 38 an infrastructure provider cannot run a live service without a separate authorisation. The Legal500 summary adds that an IP entity cannot operate the complete IBS, and that the IP-I regime it carries forward could not operate telecom services.
A digital connectivity infrastructure provider covers the active access layer. Medianama lists wireline terrestrial networks, radio access networks (RAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), in-building solutions and the transmission links that connect to core networks. The Mondaq summary says the category cannot establish core networks or be assigned spectrum.
Internet Exchanges, Satellite Gateways and Cloud Hosting
An internet exchange point provider sets up and runs the places where networks meet to swap internet traffic. Medianama says the category is limited to traffic that both starts and ends in India. The Legal500 summary says IXP providers may interconnect and peer with authorised or licensed internet service providers and India-based content delivery networks.
The Mondaq summary says that under the Unified Licence regime private IXP operators had to obtain an ISP licence, and that the rules now create a standalone IXP pathway. The Legal500 summary also says a draft Telecommunications (Migration) Rules, 2025 would map legacy internet service provider licences used only for IXP services to the new IXP authorisation.
A satellite earth station gateway provider operates ground stations that communicate with satellites. Medianama says the function includes baseband systems that convert satellite signals into data the terrestrial network carries. The Mondaq summary says satellite gateways previously formed part of the relevant service licence and are now a standalone authorisation.
A cloud-hosted telecommunication network provider can take one of three forms, Medianama says: housing operator equipment, supplying equipment, or supplying the network functions operators use to deliver services. The Mondaq summary says the category cannot provide the underlying telecom services.
Mobile Number Portability Providers
MNP providers operate networks that move subscriber numbers between operators within a zone, according to Medianama. The Legal500 summary says they serve both access providers authorised under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and operators on legacy access-service licences. Both the Legal500 and Mondaq summaries describe two geographic zones, and both give 11 circles in each.
The MNP entry fee is ₹50 lakh (INR 5 million). The Mondaq summary says it was reduced from ₹1 crore (INR 10 million).
MNP authorisations run for 10 years, against up to 20 years for the other categories. Medianama reports that renewal applications are due 12 months before expiry, and that the DoT can change the MNP annual fee rate during the term under Rule 59(6).
Under the rules, the systems, data and logs of an authorised network must be stored in India.
Entry Fees, Guarantees and Annual Charges
Medianama's fee table lists an entry fee of nil for IP and IXP authorisations, and ₹10 lakh (INR 1 million) for DCIP, SESG and CTN. The same table shows a processing fee of ₹10,000 for every category.
For MNP, Medianama and the Legal500 summary both give an entry fee of ₹50 lakh and an initial guarantee of ₹40 lakh (INR 4 million). The Mondaq summary says the rules dispense with initial guarantees for every category except MNP.
On annual charges, Medianama says MNP providers pay the higher of 1 per cent of adjusted gross revenue or 30 per cent of the entry fee from the second year. The Legal500 summary gives the minimum annual fee as ₹15 lakh (INR 1.5 million) from year two. The Mondaq summary lists the same minimum alongside the 1 per cent charge.
Standard authorisations run for up to 20 years, with MNP at 10 years. The Mondaq summary says the exact term, apart from MNP's, is set when an authorisation is granted.
Data Stays in India Unless Remote Access Is Approved
Under the rules, the systems, data and logs of an authorised network must be stored in India.
Medianama cites Rule 25(3) and reports that the clause carries no proviso and exempts no category. It applies in full to CTN providers, the publication says.
No copies of that data may be routed, shared or made available outside India, according to the Mondaq and Legal500 summaries.
Remote access from outside India requires prior DoT permission. The application must state the purpose and duration of access, the person accessing the system and the specific Indian location. Medianama says access cannot extend to lawful interception systems, call detail records, call content or other sensitive data that the DoT specifies.
Entities must also install technical systems at an approved Indian location, connected to the approved foreign location, that let DoT monitor a mirror image of what is available abroad, and keep an audit trail in India for six months, Medianama reports.
