Chinese Telecom Vendors Might Make it in the "Trusted" List

Chinese telecom vendors may just make it to the list of trusted’ vendors of telecom equipment after all. This will happen if they fit the eligibility criteria which is under preparation by the National Cybersecurity Coordinator (NCSC). The DoT first announced this on 10th March.

Details of the Development

The Department of Telecom (DoT) is in the works to issues a final list of such approved manufacturers on a portal that is scheduled to be launched in June. NCSC Lt. Gen. Rajesh Pant (retired) has been working on the same list since December 2020. The portal will work in three ways.

• First, it will allow telecom companies to look for approved vendors and products to make a plan accordingly. That means the portal will act as an directory of sorts.
• Second, if a telco is buying, or has already placed an order, with a vendor which isn't approved yet, the said telco can apply for approval of that vendor. That means it will also act as an registration portal.
• Three, the portal will also feature a list of vendors/products which are deemed unsafe by the NCSC.

These documents will be issued by NCSC. That amendment will come into force on 15th June, 2021. Furthermore, the notification noted that this amendment will be the “part and parcel” of any future Agreements. Officials aware of the development have also expressed their concerns about procurement of active programmable components such as chips.

New Sub-Clause to the Procurement Agreement

This move is to regulate Chinese telecom vendors, in particular, the amount of equipment supplied by the same. Interestingly, this amendment will not affect Annual Maintenance Contract (AMCs) of any licensees or vendors.

The apex authority on Telecom added sub-clause 41.6A(iii) (a.) to the UASL Agreement, in Security Conditions. It starts with:

The Government via the Designated Authority will have the right to impose conditions on procurement of Telecommunications Equipment on grounds of Defence of India, or matter directly or indirectly related thereto, for national security.

Interestingly, along with gear vendors, chip or semiconductor manufacturers such as Intel and Qualcomm will also go through the same process to get in the list of trusted sources.

NCSC will finalize the names of trusted suppliers. After this, the NCSC will recommend them to the National Security Committee on Telecom.