2024-08-23 21:32:34
The central government is in no mood to compromise on the security of the country at all. This is the reason why China’s entry in the 5G infrastructure of the Indian telecom sector has been banned. However, despite this, the government wants that no stone should be left unturned. For this, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has sought information about non-trusted sources from Airtel and Vodafone Idea. This may increase the trouble of Airtel and Vodafone-Idea. What are non-trusted and trusted sources and what will be their impact on India? Let’s know this in detail…
What are non-trusted sources?
The central government has made new rules for the security of mobile networks and telecom, under which telecom companies can buy network equipment only from trusted sources, which the National Cyber Security Coordinator has put in the trusted source category. In simple words, the government has created two categories, one is non-trusted source, which includes countries like China. The Indian government looks at the equipment of these countries with suspicion. The other is trusted source, which includes countries like US, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan.
China’s espionage will be banned
The government has announced the National Security Directive for the telecom sector in December 2020. It has been implemented across the country in June 2021. In such a situation, Indian companies can buy mobile network equipment only from trusted sources. This is being done in view of the security of the country, so that countries like China cannot carry out espionage in India. Let us tell you that China has a long history of spying in India. This is the reason why India looks at China with suspicion.
No information about non trusted sources
If the report is to be believed, DoT has sent several reminders to Airtel and Vodafone-Idea asking whether they have used equipment from Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE in their network services? If yes, then provide the information. It should be noted that Vodafone-Idea and Airtel have merged or acquired several companies. In such a situation, information about the non-trusted sources of both the companies is not available.
Details of software sought along with hardware
Earlier this year, the government had sought information from Airtel and Vodafone-Idea about how many devices they had purchased from non-trusted sources like Huawei and ZTE. DoT has also sought details of software as non-trusted sources. Now your question would be what is the reason behind this? So the answer is simple that the government first wants to know how many of these devices are there? And if they are replaced, how much will it cost?
India followed America’s footsteps
Actually, India wants to replace non-trusted equipment with trusted source equipment under National Security on the lines of US and UK. However, this work is likely to cost crores of rupees. This is known as the ‘Rip and Replace’ program. The US and UK governments had provided financial assistance to telecom companies in installing trusted source equipment.
China will not be able to break in
This step of the government will put a stop to Chinese intrusion in India. This will prevent the private data of the country’s telecom users from going to a country like China. The US has spent 3 to 4 billion dollars on this work. In such a situation, if this program is implemented in India, Airtel and Vodafone-Idea will suffer a loss of crores of rupees. If the report is to be believed, the US has replaced the Chinese equipment of 5 telecom operators by January 2024. As you will know, like India, many countries including the US and the UK are banning the 5G telecom gear of Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE.