Centre may amend license norms to bar sourcing of ‘critical telecom equipment’ from China

NEW DELHI: The government is considering amending licence conditions to at least bar telcos from sourcing ‘critical equipment’ for their networks from Chinese companies, a move that will prevent Huawei and ZTE from taking part in India’s 5G trials and deployments, officials said.

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) officials have been holding discussions with security agencies and other relevant ministries over the last few weeks on whether only critical equipment or all gear from China should be banned, a senior official aware of the discussions told ET.