DIPA welcomes Ministry of Defence policy

The Ministry of Defence has on 18 January, 2023 released the Policy on Shared Communication Tower and other Telecom Infrastructure to Extend Communication networking in Military Stations/Cantonments in supersession of the existing policy of 2018.

As per the new policy all applications received for installation of telecom infrastructure on defence land shall, “henceforth be processed in accordance with Indian Telegraph Row Rules 2016”, formulated by the Department of Telecom and amended from time to time.

The appropriate Authority for according approval will be the Cantonment boards for land inside Cantonment Areas and Station headquarters inside Military stations. They will get authority to approve applications within a deadline of 60 days post which deemed approval will be considered provided that the applications have been received through GatiShakti Sanchar Portal installation of telecom infra on defence land.

Director General Defence Estates (DGDE) will develop a separate portal for this purpose which shall be integrated to the GatiShakti Sanchar Portal.

Welcoming the policy, T.R.Dua, Director-General, Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), said,” The above policy accomplishes a long outstanding demand of the telecom industry and will provide a big impetus to installation of telecom infrastructure on defence lands. This will enable provision of 5G services to persons residing in and close to Cantt Areas. DIPA applauds the MoD for amending its policy in keeping with the aspirations of the customers and technology requirements. DIPA also appreciates the efforts of DoT and National Broadband Mission (NBM) for their resolute approach towards persuading the MoD to come on board.”

CT Bureau