The Department of Telecommunications, in collaboration with telecom service providers and law enforcement agencies, has reduced the number of individuals who had been receiving ISD calls illegally through the internet to mobile and wireline customers in India.
Illegal telecom structures use internet connectivity on the other side and connect to a domestic mobile and landline network for call distribution, which is not permitted as per regulations. Such unlawful structures pose a security threat and result in a financial loss to the government.
"DoT field units in coordination with TSPs (Telecom Service Providers) and law enforcement agencies were able to uncover operations of 30 such unlawful telecom set-ups in the last four months," a statement said on Wednesday.
According to a statement, members of the public are required to disclose such unlawful facilities to DoT''s call centre.
On receiving any international call, the government has established a number of telephones with the number 1800110420 and 1963.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has recently introduced a new draft bill, which aims to replace the existing legal framework governing telecommunications in India.
Through this new bill, the government intends to consolidate the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950.
The Centre believes India needs a legal framework suited to the challenges of the 21st century, according to an explanatory note to the Indian Telecommunication Bill, which would be named in 2022.
"The current regulatory framework for the telecom industry is based on the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. The scope of telecommunication, its usage, and technology have experienced a major shift since the era of the "telegraph" in 2013, according to the expendation note.