Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring (TERM), formerly known as Vigilance Telecom Monitoring (VTM), is the vigilance and monitoring wing of the IndianDepartment of Telecommunications (DoT).[1] TERM is made up of 34 Cells in India's 22 telecom circles and 10 large telecom districts,[2] each headed by a Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) level officer, termed as Deputy Director General (DDG).[3] The main functions of TERM Cells are vigilance, monitoring and security of the network.[4][5] Apart from this, TERM Cells also operate the Central Monitoring System (CMS), a clandestinemasselectronic surveillance program, and carry out other functions. The TERM Cells function as the subordinate offices of the DoT in the field. These Cells represent the Telegraph Authority and the Licensor.[6]
VTM Cells were renamed to Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring (TERM) Cells, with effect from 5 August 2008. The Government felt that the new name reflected "the entire gamut of functions assigned to the Cells" and "distinguished their role vis-vis staff-vigilance activities".[4][5]
Functions
TERM Cells analyze and resolve complaints received through the Public Grievance (PG) portal or from other sources. TERM Cells were given the task of checking the compliance of EMF radiation norms, as prescribed by Government, in 2010. TERM Cells collect a fee from operators for carrying out EMF testing.[3] Other functions of TERM Cells are checking mobile spectrum utilization and investigation of complaints regarding telecom and Internet services.[8]
TERM Cells were given the task of service testing of licensed TSPs in the licensed service area and checking their roll-out obligations as per the license conditions. As per the license agreement, all the TSPs are required to roll out their services within prescribed time periods, which means they have to offer their services in the districts selected by them by a fixed date. This then crosschecked for quality, coverage and other parameters by the DoT which is termed as Service Testing. TERM Cells also issue Service Test Result Certificates (STRCs) against the cases tested by them. Apart from this TERM Cells also send compiled data pertaining to roll out obligation for imposing Liquidated Damage (LD) charges on the TSPs do not comply with roll-out obligation conditions. TERM Cells collect a fee from operators for carrying out testing.[3]
There are currently 34 TERM Cells in India's 24 telecom circles and 10 large telecom districts.[2] Each cell is headed by a Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) level officer,
termed as Deputy Director General (DDG).[3]
^ ab"Annual Report 2007-2008"(PDF). Department of Telecommunications. Retrieved 2013-07-17. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ abcdef"Annual Report 2012-13"(PDF). Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Retrieved 2013-07-14. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ abc"TERM Cells". Department of Telecommunications. 2008-08-05. Retrieved 2013-07-17.
^ ab"Annual Report 2008-2009"(PDF). Department of Telecommunications. Retrieved 2013-07-17. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^"Annual Report 2006-2007"(PDF). Department of Telecommunications. Retrieved 2013-07-17. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^"Annual Report 2009-10"(PDF). Department of Telecommunications. Retrieved 2013-07-17. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^"Annual Report 2011-12"(PDF). Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Retrieved 2013-07-14. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.