NCSC will prepare the list of telecom equipment purchases, reliable sources and products in the country

Keeping in mind the security of the country, private companies associated with the telecom sector will now have to purchase telecom equipment from a reliable source. The government has entrusted the National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC) with the responsibility of establishing a reliable medium for security and procurement of telecom equipment. The list of trusted sources and tested products will be released by NCSC. The NCSC can also issue a list of unreliable sources. Any purchase from such sources will be prohibited. NCSC will first issue a range of all telecom products in which the safety rules will be applicable.

Notification in this regard was issued on 10 March by the Department of Telecom. According to sources, in view of the increasing trend of Indian companies towards Chinese companies in the matter of purchasing telecom equipment, the government issued this notification. There is no mention of the prohibition of purchases from Chinese companies in the notification, but sources say the move is aimed primarily at completely stopping Chinese companies in the spread of 5G. Recently, there has been talk of China having a hand in the case of large-scale power failure in Mumbai. India’s private telecom companies buy most of the devices from China and their trend towards buying 5G devices was also moving towards China. Airtel has also placed an order with the Chinese company Huawei.

In view of this trend, changes have been made in the Purchase License Agreement Rules. Under these rules, which come into effect from 15 June, NCSC will have the right to bet on the purchase of telecom equipment in the interest of the country. All companies purchasing telecom equipment will be obliged to answer all the questions asked by the NCSC in relation to the purchase. According to sources, the rules will apply to the purchase of equipment mainly related to the core sector of telecom.

Experts say that it is not yet clear what will be the basis for believing a trustworthy source. It is also feared that countries or foreign companies that will be put on the list of non-profiteers may approach the World Trade Organization or the International Court of Justice against India. This decision will also benefit domestic telecom manufacturers.

Till now government companies were buying from Indian manufacturers, now private companies will also move in this direction.