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ARTICLE · 30 JUNE 2026

A New Telecom Regime For Enterprise Networks - DoT Notifies Captive Telecom Service Authorisation Rules

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On 23 June 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) notified the final Telecommunications (Authorisation for Captive Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026 (Rules). The Rules follow the long-awaited draft rules (Draft Rules) released in September 2025 for stakeholder comments (please see here for our update on the Draft Rules).

IndiaMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Harsh Walia
Harsh Walia
Abhinav Chandan
Abhinav Chandan
Vanshika Lal
Vanshika Lal
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On 23 June 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) notified the final Telecommunications (Authorisation for Captive Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026 (Rules). The Rules follow the long-awaited draft rules (Draft Rules) released in September 2025 for stakeholder comments (please see here for our update on the Draft Rules).

The Rules form part of the broader transition from the licence-based framework under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 to the authorisation framework under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (Telecom Act).

The Rules create a dedicated authorisation framework under the Telecom Act for captive/private networks. Captive telecommunication services are divided into four categories: (a) Captive Mobile Radio Trunking Services (CMRTS), (b) Captive Non-Public Networks (CNPNs), (c) Captive Very Small Aperture Terminal (Captive VSAT) Services and (d) Captive General Services. Authorised entities may not provide commercial or public telecommunication services under

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