Old licence regime replaced by authorisation framework
The Telecommunications (Authorisation for Provision of Principal Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026, notified 23 June 2026 and in force immediately, replace India's141-year-old licence regime with an authorisation-based framework under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. If you plan to start an ISP, VNO, or telecom service in India, this page explains what changed and what to do now.
| Aspect | Old Regime (Licence) | 2026 Regime (Authorisation) |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law | Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 | Telecommunications Act, 2023 |
| Instrument | Separate licences (UL, UL-VNO, etc.) | Single authorisation framework |
| Terminology | Unified Licence / UL-VNO | Network Service Operator / VNO authorisation |
| Application portal | DoT e-services (old) | Telecom eServices Portal (new) |
| KYC | Standard Aadhaar/docs | Enhanced verifiable biometric KYC (Aug 2026 rules) |
| Security | Per-licence security conditions | Unified security framework: trusted source, data localisation |
| Existing licences | Continue as-is | Transition protection: valid till expiry or 5 years |
| Spectrum | Separate | Still separate — authorisation does not confer spectrum |
| OTT platforms | Uncertain | Under MeitY / IT Act, not telecom authorisation |
You file directly under the authorisation framework on the new Telecom eServices Portal. Categories and eligibility (financial, technical) continue to shape your application. The paperwork and portal are new — we handle the end-to-end filing.
Your existing UL or UL-VNO licence continues under transition protection. Licences with a definite validity period last till expiry. Licences without a fixed period continue for five years from 23 June 2026. Migration to the authorisation framework happens in phases via the DoT portal. You do not need to panic-apply, but you should start tracking the migration timeline.
The Telecommunications (User Identification) Rules, 2026 (notified 21 August 2026) mandate verifiable biometric-based identification for telecom service users. All authorised ISPs and VNOs must implement these via the Telecom eServices Portal. This is stricter than the old Aadhaar/docs-only KYC.
Separately, the Telecommunications (Authorisation for Telecommunication Network) Rules, 2026 (notified 20 July 2026) create six categories for infrastructure providers: Infrastructure Provider, Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider, Internet Exchange Point Provider, Satellite Earth Station Gateway Provider, Cloud-Hosted Telecom Network Provider, and Mobile Number Portability Provider. These are distinct from the ISP/VNO authorisation — operators who rely on infrastructure providers should be aware.