The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Mumbai LSA, on the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (17 May), highlighted major initiatives focused on telecom resilience, cyber security, and digital inclusion, while emphasising the growing role of secure digital communication in India’s development.

Addressing the press conference, Ajay Kamal, DDG (Administration), Mumbai LSA, said the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024 have strengthened India’s digital and legal framework.

This was possible with AI-driven systems increasingly used for governance, fraud detection, and network security. 

Incidentally, the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024,implemented in Maharashtra from January 1, 2025, have supposedly streamlined telecom infrastructure rollout via a centralised portal for towers and fibre, and the Department maintains 99.999 per cent network uptime through redundancy and regular security audits.

Ashish Pathak, Additional DG (Telecom), Mumbai LSA, speaking on the theme “Digital Lifeline: Strengthening Resilience,” said telecommunications has become an essential part of modern life. “The Government of Maharashtra, in coordination with telecom authorities, is actively implementing measures to curb cyber crime and strengthen digital safety,” he said.

Officials stated that over ₹52,000 crore has been lost to cyber frauds in India over the last five years. The Sanchar Saathi platform, which has recorded over 1.7 crore app downloads and 23 crore portal visits, enables citizens to block lost mobile phones and report fraud. Nearly 10 lakh handsets worth more than ₹1,250 crore have been blocked or traced so far.

DoT has also disconnected 3.4 crore suspicious mobile numbers, blocked 2.27 lakh fraudulent handsets, and deactivated over 16.97 lakh WhatsApp accounts linked to cyber fraud. Through the Digital Intelligence Platform, connecting over 1,200 organisations including banks and law enforcement agencies, more than 59 lakh suspicious bank accounts have been frozen, preventing losses exceeding ₹1,000 crore.

Pathak further informed that engineering college students have been empanelled to spread awareness regarding mobile towers and radiation concerns. 

Pathak also informed that new mobile network towers are increasingly being equipped with solar panels to promote sustainable and energy efficient telecom infrastructure. 

He further stated that the Department has introduced over 100 5G laboratories in engineering colleges across the country to encourage innovation, research, and skill development in next generation communication technologies. He added that over 2,600 rural locations across the country have been connected with new telecom towers to improve connectivity in previously uncovered areas. 

The press conference concluded with an interactive question and answer session, during which officials addressed queries from the media on various aspects of telecom security, digital inclusion, and ongoing government initiatives.