Latest news with #DepartmentofConsumerAffairs
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Guidelines against illegal sale of radio equipment to help improve mobile QoS: COAI
NEW DELHI: The recently notified guidelines against the prevention and regulation of illegal sales of radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, on e-commerce platforms will help improve mobile quality of services (QoS) and uphold consumer rights, telecom carriers said on Monday. With the guidelines being notified on May 27, 2025, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) said it aims to enforce penalties and platform liability in case of non-compliance, mandate verification of seller credentials and certification, introduce automated monitoring and takedown mechanisms for unauthorised listing, and drive consumer awareness through disclosures. 'We sincerely thank the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for recognising the gravity of the issue and responding with these decisive measures. We believe that this proactive step will go a long way in ensuring quality of service and upholding consumer rights,' said SP Kochhar, director-general of the Cellular Operators Association of India ( COAI ). The Delhi-based association represents telecom incumbents including Reliance Jio , Bharti Airtel , and Vodafone Idea (Vi). According to COAI, the guidelines also provide a much-needed regulatory response to the persistent challenge of illegal sale and misuse of unauthorised wireless devices, including mobile signal boosters and jammers. Telcos have particularly hailed Clause 4(i)(b) of the guidelines, which explicitly prohibits online platforms from allowing the listing or sale of mobile signal boosters and wireless jammers, recognising the widespread network disruptions and consumer grievances these unauthorised devices have caused. Notably, COAI has repeatedly raised concerns regarding the rampant and illegal sale of such devices on e-commerce platforms and their unauthorised installation in residential and commercial establishments, which have been found to cause significant degradation in network quality and consumer experience across licensed telecom networks.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Upload regulatory approval details for wireless devices, govt. tells e-com platforms
The Union government is notifying regulations to mandate e-commerce platforms to provide copies of regulatory approval documentation for wireless devices like WiFi hotspots and walkie-talkies, the Department of Consumer Affairs indicated on Friday in a press release and a notification uploaded to their website. The primary purpose of the notification, the Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Listing and Sale of Radio Equipment including Walkie Talkies on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025, dated May 27, is to bolster existing regulations prohibiting the unauthorised sale of wireless electronics — even if they operate in delicensed spectrum, like the airwaves used by WiFi routers. Walkie talkies used by law enforcement in India use spectrum assigned for that purpose in the National Frequency Allocation Plan. 'All e-commerce platforms operating in and outside India but catering to consumers in India' will be subject to the guidelines. Any equipment which supports operations in licensed spectrum, such as in bands used by telecom operators, is prohibited for sale by e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. In fact, even equipment that is operating on delicensed spectrum cannot be imported unless the user obtains an equipment type authorisation (ETA) from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The guidelines have further expanded the requirements, requiring e-commerce platforms to make all the paperwork leading up to such authorisations — 'For equipment capable of operating in unlicensed frequency bands only, e.g. Wi-Fi hotspots, Bluetooth devices, etc., the product listing shall mention the relevant ETA details issued by DoT, and make a copy of the ETA available for download by the buyer,' the guidelines say. 'The product listing shall also mention the operating frequency range(s) of the equipment and provide a copy of the relevant Test Report of the product issued by an accredited test laboratory for download by the buyer.' ETAs for each product cost ₹10,000, and are issued by the DoT's Wireless Planning and Coordination wing. They are required for several wireless devices imported into India, from gaming controllers to Bluetooth headsets. Many e-commerce websites were found to have cumulatively thousands of listings of walkie-talkies without an ETA or other requisite permissions.
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First Post
4 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Pahalgam effect? India notifies guidelines for walkie-talkie, radio equipment sale on e-com sites
Central Consumer Protection Authority expressed concerns over walkie-talkies being sold on e-commerce platforms without making it clear that they might need a wireless operating license or must follow certain laws read more India's Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Friday (May 30) notified guidelines for 'prevention and regulation of illegal listing and sale of radio equipment' on e-commerce platforms. A press release issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs said the guidelines have been issued to curb the unauthorised sale of wireless devices, including radio equipment, that may pose risks to consumer safety. The press release warned that these devices may also 'mislead consumers regarding their legal position and interfere with critical communication networks, including those used by law enforcement and emergency services.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The CCPA issued these guidelines after consultations with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Concerns expressed by the CCPA The Indian government body expressed concerns over walkie-talkies being sold on e-commerce platforms without making it clear that they might need a wireless operating license or must follow certain laws. The product listings do not mention if a license from the relevant authority is required. Important details like frequency range, licensing requirements under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, or the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Low Power, Very Low Power Short Range Radio Frequency Devices (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2018, are missing. This can mislead consumers into thinking that these devices can be used freely by anyone. Key highlights of the guidelines Following are the key highlights of the guidelines as spelled out by the press release. Mandates that only authorised and compliant walkie-talkie devices operating on permitted frequencies are listed for sale on online platforms. Product listings to specify frequency ranges and other technical parameters and include proof of regulatory approval (Equipment Type Approval). Requires e-commerce entities to undertake due diligence and verify regulatory compliance, including licensing where applicable and listings lacking frequency information or necessary certification should be taken down. Prohibits misleading advertisements or product descriptions that may misinform consumers about the legal usage of such devices. Sellers should ensure that equipment listed for sale do not operate on frequencies which are not exempted from requirement of frequency assignment and authorisation by DOT and ensure that the frequency bands on product description are clearly labelled Outlines penalties and enforcement mechanisms for violations in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. This comes after the CCPA in early May issued notices to 12 e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, TradeIndia, Facebook, Indiamart and VardaanMart, over the sale of walkie-talkies and radio equipment. 'A preliminary analysis further revealed an alarming volume of such listings across these platforms, including approximately 467 listings on Amazon, 314 on Flipkart, 489 on Meesho, and 423 on TradeIndia, indicating the widespread scale of the issue, " the statement from the Consumer Affairs Ministry then said. Pahalgam effect The move comes in the wake of increased security tensions in India, especially in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, after the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. There are concerns that terrorists or extremist elements might misuse these equipment and devices for carrying out similar attacks targeting civilians or security forces in the region.
News18
10-05-2025
- Business
- News18
'No Shortage Of Food, Fuel In India': Govt Asks People To Avoid Panic Buying, Hoarding
Last Updated: 'Avoid panic buying and hoarding; buy only what you need; supply of essential commodities is smooth and stable,' says the Department of Consumer Affairs in a post on X. The consumer affairs ministry on Saturday said India has no shortage of food, oil, or fuel in the country and asked people to avoid panic buying and hoarding. 'Consumers, we have no shortage of food, oil, or fuel in the country. Avoid panic buying and hoarding. Buy only what you need. Supply of essential commodities is smooth and stable. Do not worry, We have sufficient stock," the Department of Consumer Affairs said in a post on X on May 10, 2025. Consumers, we have no shortage of food, oil, or fuel in the country.👉 Avoid panic buying and hoarding👉 Buy only what you need👉 Supply of essential commodities is smooth and not worry, We have sufficient stock — Consumer Affairs (@jagograhakjago) May 10, 2025 The department cautioned citizens against fake propaganda messages circulating about food shortages. India has carried out precision strikes on eight Pakistani military sites early Saturday in response to a series of coordinated attacks by Pakistan on Indian Air Force installations, including Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, and Bhuj, as well as civilian infrastructure at the IAF bases in Srinagar and Awantipora, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The retaliatory strikes came after Pakistani forces launched drones, loitering munitions, high-speed missiles, and fighter aircraft to target both military and civilian assets across the western border and the Line of Control. Addressing the press, Colonel Sophia Qureshi confirmed that IAF stations at Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, and Bhuj sustained limited damage to equipment and personnel. In a particularly reckless move, Pakistan also targeted medical centres and school premises at the bases in Srinagar, Avantipur, and Udhampur. A high-speed missile launch was also attempted towards Punjab at 1:40 am. The India-Pakistan tensions started following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 innocent civilians were killed. First Published: May 10, 2025, 15:37 IST
India Today
05-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Soon India will ask phone and tablet makers to declare repairability score for their devices
Smartphone and tablet users in India could soon get more clarity on how easy it is to repair their devices, thanks to a new government-backed plan. A special committee formed by the Department of Consumer Affairs has proposed that all phone and tablet manufacturers be required to self-declare a Repairability Index for their products. This score will help buyers make better decisions at the time of purchase, especially as many consumers struggle to get their devices repaired once they're out of warranty or damaged. The aim is to promote responsible consumption and reduce electronic waste by making repairs easier and more Repairability Index will give each device a rating based on how simple it is to disassemble, the availability of spare parts, access to repair information, software updates, and other factors. Manufacturers will have to display this score clearly on the product packaging using a QR code, at retail stores, and on e-commerce listings. This way, consumers can see upfront whether a device is easy or difficult to fix before deciding to buy committee, chaired by Additional Secretary Bharat Khera, submitted its report to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare. The panel was set up in September 2024 and included representatives from major tech companies like Apple, Samsung, Google, Vivo, Dell, HP, and HMD Mobiles. It also has members from key industry bodies like ICEA and MAIT, as well as consumer rights organisations, academics, and officials from scientific bodies like the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the National Test House (NTH).advertisement The proposal has come in response to growing consumer complaints. Data from the National Consumer Helpline shows that mobile and tablet-related grievances rose from 19,057 in 2022–2023 to 22,864 in 2024–2025. Many of these complaints relate to poor access to repairs and a lack of clear post-sale support. The department hopes that introducing a Repairability Index will push brands to improve service quality and reduce the need for early device to the official statement, 'The Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are required to self-declare the Repairability Index based on a standards scoring criteria provided in the framework with no additional compliance burden.'The committee has identified 11 key parts that commonly break or wear out, including batteries, display assemblies, cameras, charging ports, microphones, speakers, and folding mechanisms in foldable devices. These parts will be evaluated using six key parameters: disassembly depth, availability of repair tools, spare part access, availability of repair information, fastener types, and software update scoring system will combine the weightage from each of these areas to produce a final rating on a five-point scale. The government says the goal is to 'create an ecosystem where consumers choose options that align with the ethos of 'mindful utilisation' of their products over 'wasteful consumption.''Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare is now reviewing the report, and the ministry is expected to release guidelines soon based on these recommendations. While the Repairability Index will initially apply only to smartphones and tablets, it could be expanded to other electronics in future phases.
