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{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring (TERM)
| type =
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| formed = {{Start date|2004|10}}
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| jurisdiction = [[Government of India]]
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| minister1_name = [[Manoj Sinha]]
| minister1_pfo = [[Ministry of Communications (India)|Minister of Communications and Information Technology]]
| deputyminister1_name =
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| agency_type = [[Telecommunications]] vigilance and monitoring
| parent_department = [[Department of Telecommunications]] (DoT)
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'''Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring (TERM)''', formerly known as '''Vigilance Telecom Monitoring (VTM)''', is the vigilance and [[Network monitoring|monitoring]] wing of the Indian [[Department of Telecommunications]] (DoT).<ref>{{cite news|author=Thomas K. Thomas |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/columns/thomas-k-thomas/radiation-dots-monitoring-wing-to-inspect-tower-sites/article3704216.ece |title=Radiation: DoT's monitoring wing to inspect tower sites |newspaper=[[Business Line]] |date=2012-07-30 |accessdate=2013-07-17}}</ref> TERM is made up of 34 [[Clandestine cell system|Cells]] in India's 22 telecom circles and 10 large telecom districts,<ref name="dot.gov.in">{{cite web|url=http://www.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/English%20annual%20report%202007-08_0.pdf |title=Annual Report 2007-2008 |publisher=Department of Telecommunications |date= |accessdate=2013-07-17}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> each headed by a Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) level officer, termed as Deputy Director General (DDG).<ref name="DoT2012-13report">{{cite web|url=http://www.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/Telecom%20Annual%20Report-2012-13%20%28English%29%20_For%20web%20%281%29.pdf |title=Annual Report 2012-13 |publisher=Department of Telecommunications (DoT) |date= |accessdate=2013-07-14}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The main functions of TERM Cells are vigilance, monitoring and security of the network.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.dot.gov.in/term/term-security |title=TERM/ Security : Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring (TERM) Cells. |publisher=Department of Telecommunications |date=2008-08-05 |accessdate=2013-07-17}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=http://www.dot.gov.in/dot-units/telecom-enforcement-resource-and-monitoring-term-cells-formerly-known-vtm-cells |title=TERM Cells |publisher=Department of Telecommunications |date=2008-08-05 |accessdate=2013-07-17}}</ref> Apart from this, TERM Cells also operate the [[Central Monitoring System]] (CMS), a [[Clandestine operation|clandestine]] [[mass surveillance|mass]] [[computer surveillance|electronic 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.<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite web|url=http://www.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/AR_English_2008-09_0.pdf |title=Annual Report 2008-2009 |publisher=Department of Telecommunications |date= |accessdate=2013-07-17}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

==History==
Vigilance Telecom Monitoring Cells (VTM) were created by the [[Government of India|Government]] to control illegal/clandestine telecom operations. Three VTM Cells were set up in October 2004 at [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]] and Hyderabad, and a fourth cell was created at [[Chennai]] the following month. Cells were added at [[Gujarat]], [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] (East), and [[West Bengal]] in August 2006, and at Andaman and Nicobar, [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Assam]], [[Bihar]], [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Haryana]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Jharkhand]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Northeast India|North East]]-I, North East-II, [[Orissa, India|Orissa]], [[Uttarakhand]], and [[Western Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh (West)]] in January 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/Annual%20report%20Eng%20_06-07.pdf |title=Annual Report 2006-2007 |publisher=Department of Telecommunications |date= |accessdate=2013-07-17}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> Cells were added in March 2007 for [[Ahmedabad]], [[Bangalore]], [[Jaipur]], [[Kolkata]], [[Lucknow]] and [[Pune]], taking the total number of VTM Cells to 34.<ref name="ReferenceC"/>

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".<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/>

==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 [[Electromagnetic radiation and health|EMF radiation norms]], as prescribed by Government, in 2010. TERM Cells collect a fee from operators for carrying out [[EMF measurement|EMF testing]].<ref name="DoT2012-13report"/> Other functions of TERM Cells are checking mobile [[Spectrum management|spectrum utilization]] and investigation of complaints regarding telecom and Internet services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/final_0.pdf |title=Annual Report 2009-10 |publisher=Department of Telecommunications |date= |accessdate=2013-07-17}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

===Registration of OSPs===
Due to the growth of the [[Business process outsourcing to India|business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in India]], the DoT decided to decentralize the registration of Other Service Providers (OSPs), which was being done by the DoT, HQ. The job of registering OSPs and [[Telemarketing|telemarketers]] was given to TERM Cells. The task of registering telemarketers was later given to the [[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India]] (TRAI). OSP registrations are done using software developed with the help of the [[National Informatics Centre]] (NIC). The website for OSP registration is http://dotosp.gov.in. <ref name="DoT2012-13report"/>

===Service testing===
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 damages|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.<ref name="DoT2012-13report"/>

===Central Monitoring System===
{{main|Central Monitoring System}}
The Central Monitoring System (CMS) is a [[Clandestine operation|clandestine]] [[mass surveillance|mass]] [[computer surveillance|electronic surveillance]] program installed by the [[C-DOT|Centre for Development of Telematics]] (C-DOT), an [[Government of India|Indian Government]] owned [[telecommunications]] technology development centre,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/AR%20Englsih%2011-12_0.pdf |title=Annual Report 2011-12 |publisher=Department of Telecommunications (DoT) |date= |accessdate=2013-07-14}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> and operated by TERM Cells.<ref name="DoT2012-13report"/> The CMS gives [[Law enforcement in India|India's security agencies]] and [[Taxation in India|income tax officials]] centralized access to [[Communications in India|India's telecommunications network]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tech2.in.com/news/general/indian-monitoring-system-threatens-rights-rights-body/875962 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616044107/http://tech2.in.com/news/general/indian-monitoring-system-threatens-rights-rights-body/875962 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-06-16 |title=Indian monitoring system threatens rights: rights body |publisher=Tech2.in.com |date=2013-06-12 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> and the ability to listen in on and record [[Cellular network|mobile]], [[landline]] and [[satellite]]<ref name="indiatimes1">{{cite web|author=Joji Thomas Philip |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-06-21/news/40119215_1_national-telecom-policy-telecom-network-telecom-equipment |title=Central monitoring system put off till December, telecom test lab to October |publisher=Articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com |date=2013-06-21 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> calls and [[Voice over IP|voice over Internet Protocol]] (VoIP), and read private [[email]]s, [[SMS]] and [[Multimedia Messaging Service|MMS]], geolocate people using [[Mobile phone tracking]],<ref name="indiatimes2">{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/internet/Government-can-now-snoop-on-your-SMSs-online-chats/articleshow/19932484.cms |title=Government can now snoop on your SMSs, online chats |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date= |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> all in real time.<ref name="frontline1">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontline.in/cover-story/india-privacy-in-peril/article4849211.ece?homepage=true |title=India: Privacy in peril |publisher=Frontline.in |date=2013-07-12 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> It can also monitor posts on [[social media]] and [[Google Search|Google searches]], without any parliamentary or judicial oversight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/prism-nsa-india-cyber-spying-surveillance-cms-481225 |title=India Ignores NSA Prism Fears and Launches Cyber Surveillance Project |publisher=Ibtimes.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2014-12-10}}</ref>

==List of TERM Cells==
There are currently 34 TERM Cells in India's 24 telecom circles and 10 large telecom districts.<ref name="dot.gov.in"/> Each cell is headed by a Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) level officer,
termed as Deputy Director General (DDG).<ref name="DoT2012-13report"/>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! S. No. !! TERM Cell !! Location<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dotosp.gov.in/OSP_files//termcellContactDetails.pdf |title=TERM Cell Contact Details |publisher=Department of Telecommunications |date= |accessdate=2013-07-17}}</ref> !! Area of Jurisdiction<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/> !! Created
|-
| 1 || Ahmedabad || Khanpur, [[Ahmedabad]] || Ahmedabad Telecom District || March 2007
|-
| 2 || Andaman & Nicobar || [[Port Blair]], [[Andaman district]] || [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] || January 2007
|-
| 3 || Andhra Pradesh || Mogalrajpuram, [[Vijayawada]] || [[Andhra Pradesh]] (Telecom Circle), excluding [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] Telecom District || January 2007
|-
| 4 || Assam || Pan Bazar, [[Guwahati]] || [[Assam]] (Telecom Circle) || January 2007
|-
| 5 || Bangalore || Sanchar Complex, WMS Compound, Jayanagar 5th Block [[Bangalore]] || Bangalore Telecom District || March 2007
|-
| 6 || Bihar || Telephone Bhawan, Patna || [[Bihar]] || January 2007
|-
| 7 || Chennai || Kellys Road, [[Chennai]] || Chennai (Metro district), [[Pondicherry]] (Telecom Districts) || November 2004
|-
| 8 || Chhattisgarh || Jaistambh Chowk, [[Raipur]] || [[Chhattisgarh]] || January 2007
|-
| 9 || Delhi || Nehru Place, [[New Delhi]] || [[Delhi]], including [[Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh|Ghaziabad]], [[Noida]], [[Faridabad]] and [[Gurgaon]] || October 2004
|-
| 10 || Gujarat || Khanpur, Ahmedabad || [[Gujarat]], excluding Ahmedabad Telecom District || August 2006
|-
| 11 || Haryana || [[Ambala]] || [[Haryana]], excluding Faridabad and Gurgaon || January 2007
|-
| 12 || Himachal Pradesh || [[Shimla]] || [[Himachal Pradesh]] || January 2007
|-
| 13 || Hyderabad || [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] || Hyderabad (Telecom District) || October 2004
|-
| 14 || Jaipur || Jhalana Institutional Area, [[Jaipur]] || Jaipur Telecom District || March 2007
|-
| 15 || Jammu and Kashmir || Trikuta Nagar, [[Jammu]] || [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] || January 2007
|-
| 16 || Jharkhand || Neori, [[Ranchi]] || [[Jharkhand]] || January 2007
|-
| 17 || Karnataka || [[Jayanagar, Bangalore|Jayanagar]], Bangalore || [[Karnataka]], excluding Bangalore Telecom District || August 2006
|-
| 18 || Kerala || [[Gandhi Nagar, Kochi]] || [[Kerala]] and [[Lakshadweep]] || August 2006
|-
| 19 || Kolkata || [[Salt Lake City, Kolkata]] || [[Kolkata]] Telecom District || March 2007
|-
| 20 || Lucknow || [[Gomti Nagar]], [[Lucknow]] || Lucknow Telecom District || March 2007
|-
| 21 || Madhya Pradesh || Hoshangabad Road, [[Bhopal]] || [[Madhya Pradesh]] || January 2007
|-
| 22 || Maharashtra || [[Nagpur]] || [[Maharashtra]], excluding Pune Telecom District || August 2006
|-
| 23 || Mumbai || [[Andheri]] (East), [[Mumbai]] || Mumbai (Metro District) || October 2004
|-
| 24 || North East-I || [[Shillong]] || North East-I (Telecom Circle) || January 2007
|-
| 25 || North East-II || [[Dimapur]] || North East-II (Telecom Circle) || January 2007
|-
| 26 || Orissa || [[Bhubaneswar]] || [[Orissa, India|Orissa]] || January 2007
|-
| 27 || Pune || Church Road, [[Pune Camp]], [[Pune]] || Pune Telecom District || March 2007
|-
| 28 || Punjab || [[Mohali]], [[Chandigarh]] || [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], including Chandigarh || August 2006
|-
| 29 || Rajasthan || Jhalana Institutional Area, Jaipur || [[Rajasthan]], excluding Jaipur Telecom District || August 2006
|-
| 30 || Tamil Nadu || Bharthi Park Road-II, [[Coimbatore]] || [[Tamil Nadu]] || August 2006
|-
| 31 || Uttar Pradesh (East) || [[Gomti Nagar]], [[Lucknow]] || UP(E) (Telecom Circle) excluding Lucknow Telecom District || August 2006
|-
| 32 || Uttar Pradesh (West) || [[Meerut]] || UP(W) (Circle) excluding Ghaziabad and Noida || January 2007
|-
| 33 || Uttaranchal || Rajpur Road, [[Dehradun]] || [[Uttarakhand]] || January 2007
|-
| 34 || West Bengal || Kolkata || [[West Bengal]], excluding Kolkata (Telecom Circle), and [[Sikkim]] || August 2006
|}

==See also==
*[[National Technical Research Organisation]], India's [[technical intelligence]] agency.
*[[DRDO NETRA|NETRA]], a [[mass surveillance]], [[Traffic analysis#In computer security|internet traffic analysis]] system.
*[[NATGRID]], the Indian national intelligence grid.
*[[Mass surveillance in India]]
*[[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Ministry of Communications and Information Technology]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ministry of Communications (India)}}

[[Category:Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)]]
[[Category:2004 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Telecommunications authorities of India]]
[[Category:Privacy of telecommunications]]
[[Category:Cyber Security in India]]

Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article