March 10, 2021
In a move that is likely aimed at excluding Chinese telecom gear vendors like Huawei and ZTE, the Department of Telecommunications has amended the Unified Access Service License to prevent telcos from obtaining gear from untrustworthy vendors. The move had been rumoured for weeks, and follows announcements from Vi and Airtel that they would be collaborating with Huawei for 5G trials and infrastructure. The government will impose these conditions through the National Cyber Security Coordinator, currently Lt Gen Rajesh Pant.
The government through the Designated Authority [the National Cyber Security Coordinator] will have the right to impose conditions for procurement of Telecommunication Equipment on grounds of Defence of India, or matters directly or indirectly related thereto, for national security.
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