ManagementDoT seeks MHA's views on security clearance by telecom firms
The Department of Telecom (DoT) has opposed general security clearance to few major equipment vendors like Ericsson, Nokia-Siemens, Motorola and Huawei and has sought Home Ministry"s view on the issue, a move that could delay execution of expansion plans of telcos.
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"It will invite criticism on account of level playing field and discrimination. Therefore, it is felt that at this stage, it may not be appropriate to accord general security clearance to major vendors such as Ericsson, NSN, Huawei, ZTE, Motorola, Cisco, Juniper and others," DoT said in a note sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
DoT has recently indicated tightening security noose on telecom firms making it mandatory for them to get security clearance before placing purchase orders for equipment with the foreign equipment vendors.
If implemented, firms like Ericsson, NSN, Huawei, ALU, ZTE, Motorola, Cisco, Juniper, Tekelec, Comverse and others will have to get clearance from the Indian security agencies each time they supply equipment to telecom firms.
The foreign companies are major supplier of equipment in India.
Recently, security agencies have raised concerns over deploying telecom networks using equipment from Chinese vendors citing security reasons.
DoT has sought the response of Home Ministry and Intelligence Bureau on whether telcos should apply for security clearance before placing purchase order for equipment.