15 in race for security audit of telecom gear imports

British Telecom along with 14 other companies has been shortlisted by the government to select a telecom vendor that will certify equipment imported by various mobile companies into the country, especially from China.

Official sources said the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has been asked to pick up the international security audit firm which will certify the imported equipment. The move comes as a breather for vendors especially from China like Huawei and ZTE, as well as Indian telecom companies like Reliance Communications and Tata Teleservices that are looking for cost-effective telecom gear to expand their networks.

Under a proposal, the government has allowed telecom companies to import the equipment from foreign suppliers only after an international certification agency visits the plant of the vendor and gives a security clearance. India currently does not have any certification agency.