DoT Warns Ecommerce Companies On Illegal Sale Of Jammers, Boosters

DoT extends deadline for public comments on Draft Telecom Bill

SUMMARY

The DoT has raised the same issue multiple times over the past few years, even conducting raids to stop illegal states of the said equipment

DoT said, “the use of cellular signal jammer, GPS blocker or other signal jamming device is generally illegal, except specifically permitted by Government of India”

The DoT also clarified the entities that were eligible for acquiring signal boosters, stating that only TSPs were eligible for acquiring signal boosters and repeaters

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has warned ecommerce companies against allowing the sale of some telecom equipment such as wireless jammers and network boosters. The selling of this equipment requires government approval, according to an official statement.

The DoT has raised the same issue multiple times over the past few years, even conducting raids to stop illegal states of the said equipment.

In a statement, DoT said, “It has been stated that the use of cellular signal jammer, GPS blocker or other signal jamming device is generally illegal, except specifically permitted by Government of India. Private sector organizations and/ or private individuals cannot procure/use jammers in India.”

The DoT has made the guidelines for the use of jammers on the Cabinet Secretariat’s official website.

“It has also been stated that it is unlawful to advertise, sell, distribute, import or otherwise market signal jamming devices in India, except as permitted under the guidelines mentioned above,” the DoT said.

The DoT also clarified the entities that were eligible for acquiring such equipment.

“With regards to signal booster/repeater it has been stated that it is unlawful to possess, sell, and/or use mobile signal repeater/booster by any individual/entity other than the licensed Telecom Service Providers.”

Therefore, only the TSPs can acquire signal boosters or repeaters in India.

In the statement, the telecom department noted that it had warned ecommerce websites in January as well. The DoT said that it has warned ecommerce websites again from selling or facilitating the sale of wireless jammers on their platforms.

The warning comes as the DoT is preparing for the 5G spectrum auction later this month. The DoT is working with the telecom sector regulator (TRAI) and the Ministry of Communication to auction off a total of 72 GHz spectrum across multiple bands, including mid-band and mmWave bands.

Ecommerce companies in India are looking at a market opportunity worth $400 Bn by 2030 in the country according to an Inc42 report. It has become the largest creator of unicorns in India’s startup ecosystem with 23 ecommerce unicorns made so far, with 16 soonicorns.

The ecommerce ecosystem has faced several regulatory hurdles recently, ranging from the alleged anti-competitive practices and the consequent action from CCI to the most recent ban on single-use plastics which has come into effect on July 1.