Major Events in Telecommunication in India

Important events in History of Telecommunication:

Oct. 1854 : The first Telegraph Act enacted

Nov. 1881 : License granted to private companies to operate telephone systems at Madras,

Bombay, Rangoon, Calcutta

1888 : Post paid Telegraph Department combined as quasi-commercial departments.

1902 : First wireless telegraph station establishment between Saugor Islands and

Sandheads.

1903 : Reorganization of superior establishment in telegraph departmental wireless

telegraph introduced.

1905 : Control of Telegraph department transferred from PWD to commerce and

industry department except for matters connected with building and electricity

Dec. 1910 : Telegraph department awarded a gold medal in the united provinces exhibition

held at Allahabad.

1912-14 : Amalgamation of postal and telegraph department under a single director,

General reversion of control of P&T again to PWD

1923 : Long Distance dialing (90 miles) introduced between Lahore and Lyallpur

1923 : First Trunk Telephone Circuit in Burma established between Rangoon and Pegu

1923-24 : 152 questions relating to department were asked and answered in the

Legislative Assembly.

1937 : Burma and Aden telegraph systems which were a part of Indian

telegraph system, separated.

1937 : Deluxe telegram with foreign countries introduced.

1940 : Introduction of Urgent private inland trunk calls overseas telephone service

temporarily suspended due to war conditions.

1942-47 : Telecommunication development scheme came into operation. A

telecommunication development board was setup.

1^st Jun. 1949 : Introduction of Hindi telegram in Devanagari script

Dec. 1949 : Wireless station commenced functioning at Srinagar

Nov. 1950 : Private Priority Telegram Introduced.

1950 : Own your telephone exchange scheme began to operate

Dec. 1950 : Telegraph wires (unlawful Possession) of 1950, Act was passed

by Parliament.

1978 : Introduction of press bulletin service (PBS) telecommunication consultants

India Ltd set up in the public sector to provide consultancy

1985 : First mobile telephone service introduced at Delhi

1986 : Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. and Videsh Sanchar Nigam

Ltd. Were established.

1984 : Announcement of National telecom policy. Cellular telephone services started

in Culcutta and Delhi internet service provided by VSN. ISDN service started commercially.

1956 : The telecom regulatory authority of India was set up. Wireless in Local Loop

(WLL) telephone system introduced in MTNL. Delhi Indo Nepal Optical

Fibre Link commissioned. Basic telecom services Opened for private

competition.

1999 : New telecom policy DOT is separated into two organs DTS and DTO.

2000 : Telecom disputes, settlement and appellate tribunal was established. National

Long Distance service opened for private competition. Bharat Sancher

Nigam Ltd. is born.

2002 : BSNL Came under private management. International Long Distance service

opened for private competition. Internet telephony was started.

as per 2002 reports