The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) would deliberate upon the need for mandatory testing of all imported telecom equipment. The move comes in the backdrop of the country?s vulnerability to increased cyber attacks.
DoT had earlier decided in favour of mandatory testing of all imported telecom equipment in locally-accredited test labs or test beds from July 1, 2014. However, the internal DoT note last year said that the date of security certification from a lab located in India may be extended by 9 to 12 months.
The US Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the European Union (EU) have advised the government not to embrace such protectionist telecom policies as it could lead to potential supply change disruptions resulting in increased cost of telecom services.
MHA, however, is moving ahead to make it mandatory for testing of telecom equipment in India.
