Telecom equipment from China to face curbs as Cabinet approves buying only from trusted source
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Send Telecom equipment from China may face fresh curbs after the Cabinet on Wednesday cleared a proposal to secure telecom infrastructure by designating a trusted source for the purchase of equipment by service providers.
New Delhi:
Briefing reporters after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Law, Telecom and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said a National Security Directive on Telecommunication Sector has been framed keeping in mind the national security. Considering the need to ensure India s national security, the Cabinet has accorded approval for the National Security Directive on Telecommunication Sector, Prasad said.Â
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Synopsis We welcome the government s decision to auction spectrum by March 2021. This will enable the industry to cater to the exponential increase data usage and continue supporting the Digital India vision, COAI Director General SP Kochhar said.
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New Delhi: Industry body COAI on Wednesday welcomed the government s decision to auction spectrum by March 2021 but said lower reserve prices would have freed-up additional resources for network expansion by telcos. Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) - whose members include Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and
While it will not impact equipment that has already been deployed, going forward all telecom gear, especially those used for 5G services, will be kept under strict watch.
“The methodology to designate trusted products will be devised by the designated authority, the National Cyber Security Coordinator. Telecom service providers (mobile operators) are required to connect new devices that are designated trusted products,” communications and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, adding that the policy was framed keeping in mind the country’s security needs.
Chinese equipment suppliers are already under the scanner globally, with countries such as Australia, the US and the UK banning their access, especially in the 5G space, while others like Germany increasing scrutiny.
India Trusted Source: Centre likely to blacklist some telecom equipment vendors
India
Updated: Wednesday, December 16, 2020, 17:29 [IST]
New Delhi, Dec 16: The Centre today said that it may blacklist certain telecom equipment vendors and also designate companies as India Trusted Source.
The decision comes in the wake of the ongoing tensions with China. As a result of this, the telecom sector may soon have a list of companies from where the firms can buy services and products.
Ravi Shankar Prasad
The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security to enhance security of telecom sector by designating a trusted source, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. So there s a trusted source and there s a not trusted source, the minister also said.
Highlights
The Designated Authority will make its determination based on the approval of a committee headed by Deputy NSA
The committee will consist of members from relevant departments/Ministries and will also have two members from the industry and an independent expert
The Committee will be called ‘National Security Committee on Telecom (NSCT)
New Delhi: In a significant Cabinet decision on Wednesday (December 16), the government gave approval for National Security Directive on Telecommunication Sector. This step has been taken to strengthen national security and further Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives including through the involvement of all stakeholders within government and in the private sector.