A major change in new telecom rules will come into effect on January 1, 2025. These new Right of Way (RoW) rules will apply to all telecom companies in India, including Reliance Jio (led by Mukesh Ambani), Bharti Airtel (led by Sunil Mittal), Vodafone Idea (Vi), and government-owned BSNL. The government has instructed all states to adopt these new rules.
What Are the New RoW Rules?
The RoW rules are guidelines for setting up telecom infrastructure like mobile towers and optical fiber cables on public or private property. These rules aim to ensure public safety and transparency. Both property owners and telecom companies must follow these rules.
The updated RoW rules will:
- Simplify the permission process for installing telecom infrastructure.
- Digitize records to increase transparency and efficiency.
- Help telecom companies roll out 5G networks faster.
The new rules will encourage smoother and faster installation of telecom towers and fiber lines, making it easier for companies to expand their networks.
Why Are These Rules Important?
The new RoW policy will:
- Support the growth of telecom companies like Jio, Airtel, BSNL, and Vi.
- Help build better telecom infrastructure across the country.
- Speed up the availability of 5G services in India.
According to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Secretary Neeraj Mittal, a uniform RoW policy is essential to ensure all states work together efficiently. Earlier, telecom companies had asked the government to make RoW rules consistent across the country for faster and easier development of networks.
These new rules are expected to benefit all telecom providers and improve communication services for everyone.