Breaking News: DOT asks operators to stop offering anthem as caller tune

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New Delhi: The department of telecommunications (DOT) has directed service providers not to offer the national anthem as a caller tune as it was a violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The licensees are hereby directed to ensure that services provided by them comply with provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and executive orders," DOT said in a statement here.

Any violation of the same shall be taken as violation of the terms and conditions of the licence agreement, it added.

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Lose licence if Jana Gana Mana used as ringback tune

The department of telecommunications (DoT) has pulled up mobile service providers for offering the National Anthem as a ringback tone.

In a notice to all telecom service providers, the department said this was a breach of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and executive instructions relating to the anthem.

"Any violation of the same will be taken as violation of terms and conditions of licence agreement," the notice further said.

The ringback tone is the tune a calling person hears on the mobile phone of the receiving subscriber before the call is answered. Value added services, including ringback tones and caller tunes, contribute about 30 per cent of the revenues of telecom service providers. Mobile subscribers can opt for ringback or caller tunes from Bollywood songs, English songs or others through their service providers by paying a monthly fee of Rs 30-40.

When asked, a leading mobile operator said the National Anthem was a very popular ringback tone. In many countries, mobile companies were allowed to offer their national anthem as a ringback tune, he said. However, he added, they need to follow the DoT guideline on this.

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