The Department of Telecom has notified rules to relax the rollout of communication networks by fixing a one-time fee for overground cables at Rs 1,000 per kilometre and relaxing all costs other than administrative and repair charges.

The announcement has also cleared documentation for placing overground telecom cables. “The Government has notified the Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 2021 on 21st October 2021 to combine the terms related to one-time fee and uniform method for establishing Overground Telegraph Line in the Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 2016,” a statement stated.

The statement said there would be no fee other than administrative and repair charges for establishing, maintaining, working, repairing, shifting the underground and overground telegraph line. “These measures will reduce Right of Way Related permission procedures for establishment and development of Digital Communications Infrastructure in India,” the statement added.