The Indian Lok Sabha has passed the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, replacing three existing legislations and introducing significant reforms in the sector. The bill, introduced as a Money Bill by Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, consolidates laws related to telecommunication services, networks, and spectrum allocation. Notable provisions include the direct allocation of satellite spectrum, prohibition of untrusted devices, and mandatory biometric identification for SIM card issuance. The shift from licensing to authorization for Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) is also a key change. Industry players welcomed the bill for infrastructure protection, while civil rights groups expressed concerns about potential mass surveillance.