The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued amended rules for telecom licences that mandate telecom operators to use equipment only from vendors with trusted sources approval for network expansion and upgradation.
According to the amended rules , the licensees shall only connect trusted products in their networks with effect from June 15, 2021 and also seek permission from the designated authority for upgradation or expansion of the existing network utilising the telecommunication equipment not designated as trusted products. The DoT has added the word ‘expansion’ to plug a gap in previous rules that were issued to restrict the use of non-trusted telecom gear in the telecom networks.
The new amendments will be applicable for all telecom licences. Earlier, in 2020, the government approved the National Security Directive for the telecom sector under which it would declare a list of trusted sources and trusted products for installation in the country’s telecom network.
