Govt's check on telco gear makers to hit Chinese equipment companies

Telecom service providers mandated to buy equipment from 'trusted sources'

Under a new directive from the government, telecom service providers (TSPs) have been mandated to purchase equipment only from “trusted sources”. The government will also create a list of sources from whom no procurement can be done. 

The Cabinet Committee on Security accorded approval to the National Security Directive on Telecommunication Sector on Wednesday. The move to create a secured national network, many experts said, would extend the restrictions on the use of Chinese gear by private sector TSPs in future 5G networks. 

Till now, the government has neither rejected nor approved Chinese gear maker’s applications for 5G trials with Indian TSPs.