Government yet to take call on China’s entry into 5G; penetration in existing network extensive: Union home secretary

Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday said the government has not taken any call on allowing Chinese telecom companies to enter into the 5G trials in India but acknowledged that the penetration of the neighbouring country into the existing network is too extensive.
Bhalla, however, also made it clear that the government is making special safeguards to ensure safety and security of the country’s communication network.
“On 5G, the government in any case has not taken any call. Discussions are still on…when it will be allowed and who are the people to be allowed. Point is very valid. The penetration of existing telecom hardware and software is too extensive,” he said at the Diamond Jubilee webinar organised by National Defence College.
He was replying to a question on participation of Chinese telecom players in India’s 5G trials.
The home secretary said unless India gets a substitute, the existing facilities cannot be closed down abruptly.