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Cabinet Approves Dissolution of 37-Year-Old Digital Telecom Commission
India is dissolving a government group that helped make telecom decisions.
The group was created in 1989 and was first called the Telecom Commission.
It was renamed the Digital Communications Commission in 2018.
The group helped prepare telecom policies and budgets.
Officials said some of its work overlaps with other telecom officials.
The finance ministry now handles budget approvals for telecom projects and schemes.
The commission recently approved most recommendations about spectrum for satellite internet services.
Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications have permission to offer services, but they still need spectrum and another security clearance.
The Union Cabinet approved dissolving the Digital Communications Commission on Wednesday, according to one report; another described the move as expected.
The commission was created as the Telecom Commission in 1989 and renamed the Digital Communications Commission in 2018.
The body formulated Department of Telecommunications policies, prepared its annual budget and helped implement telecom policy.
Officials cited overlapping responsibilities within the Department of Telecommunications, while the finance ministry now handles budget approvals for telecom projects and schemes.
The DCC recently approved most Telecom Regulatory Authority of India recommendations on satellite spectrum; Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications still need spectrum and further security clearance.
- Who
- The Union Cabinet, the Digital Communications Commission and the Department of Telecommunications are involved, along with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
- What
- The government approved or was reported to be preparing the dissolution of the Digital Communications Commission after approving most recommendations on satellite communications spectrum.
- Where
- India.
- When
- The reported approval or winding-up decision occurred on Wednesday; the commission held four meetings in 2025.
- Why
- Officials cited overlapping responsibilities between Department of Telecommunications members and advisers, while the finance ministry has taken control of telecom budget approvals.
Key facts
- Commission established
- 1989
- Original name
- Telecom Commission
- Renamed
- Digital Communications Commission in 2018
- Reported Cabinet action
- The Union Cabinet approved dissolution on Wednesday, according to one report.
- Commission structure
- One chairman, three full-time members and four part-time members from other government departments.
- 2025 meetings
- The DCC held four meetings during 2025.
- Satellite-service requirements
- Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications still require spectrum allocation and second-stage security clearance before services can launch.
Quotes
A top government source
An unnamed senior source familiar with the government’s telecom restructuring decision
“Post-dissolution, final policy and administrative decisions will be handled directly by the telecom secretary, subject to approval by the minister of communications and the Cabinet as needed.”
deccanchronicle.com
“However, in the new structure, an overlap in the work handled by DoT members and advisers has created a need to move to a different structure.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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