Amazon, Flipkart & others delist walkie-talkie after govt’s advice
In a recent move, online marketplaces such as Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, JioMart, and others have removed flagged walkie-talkie listings from their websites. This decision comes after the Centre issued guidelines for the prevention of unauthorised sale of radio communication devices online, citing concerns that these devices can interfere with communication systems used by government bodies.
The guidelines, issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), mandate the sale of walkie-talkies operating within permitted frequency bands. The move is aimed at preventing the misuse of radio communication devices, which can potentially disrupt critical communications used by government agencies, emergency services, and other essential organizations.
According to sources, the online marketplaces have complied with the government’s guidelines and removed the flagged listings from their platforms. This decision is seen as a significant step towards regulating the online sale of radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, and ensuring that only authorized devices are sold in the country.
The guidelines issued by the DoT specify that all walkie-talkies sold online must operate within the frequency bands allocated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Indian Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRAI). The guidelines also mandate that all radio equipment sold online must be certified by the Indian Certification and Testing Scheme (ICATS) or equivalent.
The decision to delist walkie-talkies from online marketplaces has been welcomed by the government, which has been concerned about the misuse of these devices. The government has been working to regulate the online sale of radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, to prevent interference with critical communications systems.
The move to regulate the online sale of walkie-talkies is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring the security and integrity of India’s communication systems. The government has been working to prevent the unauthorized sale of radio communication devices, which can potentially disrupt critical communications used by government agencies, emergency services, and other essential organizations.
The guidelines issued by the DoT are seen as a significant step towards regulating the online sale of radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, and ensuring that only authorized devices are sold in the country. The decision to delist walkie-talkies from online marketplaces is a significant move towards preventing the misuse of these devices and ensuring the security and integrity of India’s communication systems.
The impact of the guidelines on the online sale of walkie-talkies is likely to be significant. Online marketplaces such as Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and JioMart will need to ensure that all walkie-talkies sold on their platforms operate within the permitted frequency bands and are certified by the ICATS or equivalent. This will require these marketplaces to conduct thorough due diligence on the devices sold on their platforms, which will help to prevent the unauthorized sale of radio communication devices.
The guidelines issued by the DoT are also expected to have a significant impact on the manufacturing and sales of walkie-talkies in India. Manufacturers of walkie-talkies will need to ensure that their devices operate within the permitted frequency bands and are certified by the ICATS or equivalent. This will require them to make significant changes to their manufacturing processes and product designs.
The move to regulate the online sale of walkie-talkies is also expected to have a significant impact on the prices of these devices. As online marketplaces and manufacturers comply with the guidelines, the prices of walkie-talkies may increase, which could impact demand and sales.
In conclusion, the decision by online marketplaces such as Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and JioMart to delist walkie-talkies from their platforms is a significant step towards regulating the online sale of radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, and ensuring that only authorized devices are sold in the country. The guidelines issued by the DoT are aimed at preventing the misuse of radio communication devices, which can potentially disrupt critical communications used by government agencies, emergency services, and other essential organizations.
