Telecom service providers may have to install only domestically manufactured equipment, if available, in their networks in areas that are important for national security.
The government has also decided to give preference to indigenous equipment for use in all its communications. This
becomes important in view of the recent allegations by security agencies against Chinese majors Huawei and ZTE. Intelligence agencies have said that they might pose threat to India’s national security.
“The government has already notified some products,” said an official of the department of telecommunications (DoT). “We are in the process of identifying some more products.”
The permanent select committee on intelligence of the US house of representatives has also warned in a report in October that equipment made by the two Chinese majors posed a security risk. The report has pointed out relationship between Huawei and its founder Ren Zhengfei, a former People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China’s officer. Zhengfei, however, claims that Huawei is purely commercial and devoid of any links with the PLA.
Earlier, Indian intelligence agency RAW had also informed DoT that Huawei had links with PLA. “Huawei technologies is known to have links with the PLA and the ministry of state security of China...,” wrote RAW to DoT.