Department of Telecommunications rules out permitting 74 per cent foreign direct investment in the telecom sector through automatic route

In response to the recent report by the Investment Commission, headed by Ratan Tata, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has categorically ruled out permitting 74 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the telecom sector through the automatic route due to national security concerns. It also recommended that the Investment Commission should incorporate telecom equipment manufacturing as a major thrust area to attract FDI.