As reported by the Economic Times (ET), Parliament on July 29 i.e. Thursday was informed about the government discovering internet services license rules violations committed by 34 firms.
Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan shared the list of violators which included Bharti Airtel, Tata Communications, Reliance Communications Infrastructure, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) Noida, RailTel Corporation of India Ltd., Icenet.net, Swissfone India, Kappa Internet Services, Sify Technologies, Noida Software Technology Park and World Gate Network. These firms as well as other service providers’ provision of internet connectivity have resulted in an unauthorized resale of internet services.
Chauhan wrote to Rajya Sabha, “Companies are granted a license under Section 4 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 to provide Internet Services. A list of ISP Licensees found to be providing broadband services in contravention to license conditions… appropriate financial penalty has been imposed on such licensee.”
According to ET, World Gate Networks and E-Com Opportunities have “unauthorized Internet Gateway using foreign satellites.”
Moreover, companies like Kappa Internet Services, ISP Solutions (India), Swissfone India, and Rainbow Communications provided services beyond the service area. Virtela India was not only delivering services beyond the service area but also was billing non-Indian customers.
Sify Technologies, Noida Software Technology Park Ltd., Pipetel Communications, Data Infosys, Icenet.net, Five Network Solutions among others sub-leased license, services alongside billing through their franchise company.
