In a reprieve to cellular operators, the government has relaxed security norms to allow the provision of mobile phone services up to 500 meters of India's international borders.
NEW DELHI: In a reprieve to cellular operators, the government has relaxed security norms to allow the provision of mobile phone services up to 500 meters of India's international borders.
The operators were barred from offering services up to 10 km from the international border of India.
There shall be a No Service Zone of 500 meters width along the international border within Indian territory for wireless/mobile services, the Department of Telecom said.
The operators will have to use requisite technology to ensure that the signals become unusable within 500 metres of the international boundary.
They (operators) will also be required to create a Buffer Zone of 10 km along the Line of Control, Line of Actual Control, Akhnoor and Pathankot areas in Jammu and Kashmir, where cell sites and radio transmitters cannot be deployed.
Failing compliance with these conditions could attract government action against telecom operators, including imposition of financial penalties.
"Periodic surprise checks may be carried out by the DoT or its authorised representatives, including security agencies to ensure the compliance with the conditions.
"In case, any violation in respect of usable mobile signals in the No Service Zone or in the Buffer Zone are detected, stern action will be taken according to the terms and conditions of the license agreement, including imposition of financial penalty," DoT said.
The operators were required to obtain clearance from the DoT and the Home Ministry for every single base station that was to be installed in border areas in view of security issues raised by agencies.
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