New Delhi, Oct. 22 -- The Centre has notified new rules allowing eligible applicants to test innovative telecom technologies, services, products and business models in a controlled regulatory environment, with exemptions from specified regulatory requirements for the duration of the trial.

The Telecommunications (Regulatory Sandbox) Rules, 2026, by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), provide a framework for applicants to seek exemptions from authorisation, assignment and other requirements under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and rules made under it, as well as provisions of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act, 1997, where required for testing.

However, the exemptions are not automatic or blanket relaxations....