List of trusted sources for telecom gear soon

New Delhi: The government will soon declare a list of ‘trusted sources’ for acquiring gear for telecom networks and amend permits accordingly, a move aimed at keeping Chinese gear suppliers Huawei and ZTE out of India’s Future telecom expansion as well as its 5G technology rollout, amid continuing tensions on the borders.

“Considering the need to ensure India’s national security, the Cabinet has accorded approval for the National Security Directive on Telecommunication Sector,” telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Wednesday. “Under the provisions of the Directive, in order to maintain the integrity of the supply chain security, the government will declare a list of ‘trusted sources/trusted products’ for the benefit of the telecom service providers.” A list of ‘designated sources’ from which no procurement can be done may also be created, he said.