Govt allows mobile services within 500m of LoC

New Delhi, Mar 1 (UNI) The government today said it has relaxed the restrictions on mobile services within 10 km of international border up to 500 meters taking security norms into concern.

Department of Telecom (DoT) had barred the cellular operators to offer services up to 10 km till now around the international borders of the country.

''There will be a 'No Service Zone' of 500 meters width along the international border within Indian territory for wireless/mobile services,'' DoT said in a statement.

It also said, the operators will have to make sure that requisite technologies are used to ensure that the signals become unusable within 500 metres of the international boundary.

The operators are also required to create a 'Buffer Zone' of 10 km along the Line of Control (LoC), Line of Actual Control (LoAC) like Akhnoor and Pathankot areas in Jammu and Kashmir, where cell sites and radio transmitters cannot be deployed, failing to which the Government can take actions against the telecom operators, including an imposition monetary fine of certain amount which will be fixed.

''In case, any violation in respect of usable mobile signals in the No Service Zone or in the Buffer Zone are detected, stern action will be taken according to the terms and conditions of the license agreement, including imposition of financial penalty,'' the Department said.

UNI