The following email was sent to all Tata Indicom (formerly VSNL) customers informing of the draconian directive from Department of Telecom, India:

Dear Customer,

As you are aware it is our constant endeavour to continuously offer services that ensures utmost satisfaction of our customers.

While doing so, we have designed, implemented and are constantly reviewing our processes to safeguard national security interests while we carry out our business of licensed services. In this process we are also committed to extend all our support and cooperation to the Government, as and when required.

You would no doubt be aware of recent cases of misuse by the anti-social and anti-national elements, of internet access provided to the customers by various ISPs particularly when internet access using W-iFi technology.

In order to overcome this problem, Department of Telecom has recently issued a directive dated 23-02-09 to ensure secured use of Wi-Fi based internet access under the delicensed frequency band(Directive attched)

Under this directive, any usage of Wi-Fi connectivity including deployment of Wi- Fi Routers by the customers themselves needs to get registered with us to meet compliance of DoT guidelines and instructions.

Therefore, if you are using a Wi-Fi router to access your broadband connection kindly register with us by filling in the attached format and mailing to us at regwifi@tatacommunications.com within 30 days of receipt of this communication.

Please note, Tata Communications Internet Services Limited will not be in any way held responsible or answerable in case any unauthorized usage of WiFi technology resulting into the non-compliance of DoT directive is detected within your Premises/Location by the Authorities concerned.

Please note that any liability including civil and criminal liability for such unauthorized use and any resulting event connected thereto will be your sole responsibility. We would also be constrained to withdraw our services without any further notice in such an eventuality and without any liability on our part.

Continued usage of Wi-Fi connectivity or deployment of router without registration shall amount to unauthorized usage of Wi-Fi technology.

We would request for your immediate response and co-operation on this issue of importance in the interest of the national security.

Click here to download the Wi-Fi Security Registration Format.
Click here to know the Instructions of DoT- Wi-Fi Security.

Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
For Tata Communications Internet Services Ltd.

(Authorised Signatory)

I am speechless, but your comments are welcome.