Quite recently, the Department of Telecommunications introduced a new telecom authorisation framework under Telecommunications (Authorisation for Provision of Principal Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026. The long standing telecom licensing system has now been replaced by this new framework. This means that businesses will now receive telecom authorisations instead of telecom licences for providing principal telecommunication services.
This raises an important question for those in the telecom sector: what happens to existing telecom license holders? They do not need to apply for a fresh authorisation under the new framework/rules. They may continue under their existing licence until it expires or voluntarily choose to migrate the license in accordance with Telecommunications (Terms and Conditions for Migration) Rules, 2026 if they want authorization under the framework.
In this blog, we shall explain what the telecom migration rules are, who can apply for migration under these rules, the telecom migration process and other important details that existing telecom license holders should know about.
The Telecom Migration Rules 2026, officially known as Telecommunications (Terms and Conditions for Migration) Rules, 2026, are rules that regulate the migration of existing telecom licenses to new authorization framework under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. The rules became effective on 23 June 2026. Under these rules, the existing telecom licence holders can migrate their licences to the corresponding telecom authorisations in the manner prescribed by the Department of Telecommunications.
The Rules lay down the migration’s eligibility criteria, process, timelines and other important conditions to be complied with by existing license holders. They also require that a licence holder must submit a migration application via Telecom eServices Portal and meet all applicable requirements before migration is approved.
A telecom licence holder can apply for migration of telecom license if they continue to meet the eligibility conditions laid down under the provisions of Telecommunications (Authorisation for Provision of Principal Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026.
Simply put, the telecom business must still be eligible to hold corresponding telecom authorisation. Only such licence holders can apply for migration to newly introduced authorisation framework.
To apply for telecom license migration, the process needs to be completed online via the Telecom eServices portal. Below, we have explained all the steps involved in telecom license migration process:-
Step 1:- As the first step, you must visit Telecom eServices Portal of DoT @ https://eservices.dot.gov.in/.
Step 2:- Once you are on the portal, you must log in by entering login credentials. In case you are a new user, it is necessary that you complete registration process first.
Step 3:- After successfully logging into the portal, you need to select the Telecom Licence Migration option.
Step 4:- Thereafter, you can begin filling out the online migration application form with all the required details.
Step 5:- After that, you need to attach all the necessary documents with the form in accordance with Telecom License Migration Rules.
Step 6:- Then, you must pay the applicable migration fee at the time of form submission.
Step 7:- Once DoT receives the application form, it’ll review it carefully. If the application form meets all the requirements, the Department will grant migration approval.
No, telecom licence migration is not mandatory. It is voluntary for telecom businesses for now. Existing telecom licence holders can continue to operate under their existing licences until they expire, subject to terms and conditions of the licences. However, if a licence holder wants to migrate to telecom authorisation regime before expiry of existing licence or expand its services/operational regions under new framework, it must apply for migration of license. This process must be completed via eServices Portal in accordance with Telecom Migration Rules.
Businesses should also note that once their current licence expires, they cannot apply for a new licence under old licensing regime which has now been abolished. They need to obtain the required telecom authorisation under new framework so as to continue providing telecom services. The application for migration must be filed at least 12 months prior to the expiry of the current telecom license.
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The new telecom authorisation framework has changed the way telecom businesses are regulated in India. Existing telecom licence holders can continue to operate under their current licences until they expire. They can also voluntarily choose to migrate earlier before the license expires or if they want to expand their telecom services/operational areas under the newly introduced framework.
If you need assistance with telecom licence migration or telecom authorisation, Registrationwala is here to help out with the entire process.
Q1. What is the deadline for filing an application for migration of telecom licence?
A. The application for telecom licence migration must be submitted at least 12 months prior to the expiry of current telecom license.
Q2. Can existing telecom licence holders continue to operate under their current telecom licences?
A. Yes. Existing telecom licence holders can continue to operate under their current licences until such licenses expire, subject to the terms and conditions of those licences. However, businesses that wish to operate under the new authorisation framework or expand their telecom services/operational areas must file an application for migration.
Q3. Which DoT portal do I need to visit to file an application for telecom license migration?
A. To file an application for telecom license migration, you need to visit Telecom eServices Portal.
Q4. When did the Telecommunications (Terms and Conditions for Migration) Rules, 2026 come into effect?
A. These rules came into effect quite recently, i.e., on 23 June 2026.
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