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Wednesday, May 20, 2009
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Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Wednesday, May 20, 2009 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version | Audio | Blogs |
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Telecommunications Info-Tech - Regulatory Bodies & Rulings Industry & Economy - PSU Web Extras - Security No Huawei, ZTE products in sensitive zones, DoT tells BSNL No remote access to BSNL’s monitoring systems BSNL must set up disaster recovery plan PSU disallowed from allowing vendors to manage its network Thomas K. Thomas New Delhi, May 19 In a bid to address the concerns raised by security agencies against Chinese vendors supplying equipment to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, the Department of Telecom has asked the State owned company not to procure equipment henceforth from Huawei and ZTE for setting up network in sensitive areas. DoT has also asked BSNL to conduct security audit of its network to check for spy ware. Sensitivity factor“In view of the pronounced security concerns in respect of Chinese vendors, procurement of resources from these vendors, particularly in sensitive regions would not be in the interest of national security. “Therefore, resources should not be procured from Chinese vendors for deployment in sensitive regions. The sensitive regions are defined as States having international border with China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Pakistan,” said a DoT letter to BSNL. This means that future contracts in North, East and West zones are ruled out for Huawei and ZTE Mega contractThe guidelines issued by DoT assume significance in the light of the 93-million-line contract being evaluated by BSNL. Notwithstanding the security concerns, BSNL has gone ahead and shortlisted Huawei for the South zone. According to BSNL officials, the bid for the South zone from Huawei was opened since there are no unfriendly countries sharing the international border with southern States. However, the Intelligence Bureau had earlier told DoT and BSNL that even the southern region with its coastline can be considered sensitive and distinction in terms of zones in the communication sector was irrelevant. The IB had said that the Chinese vendors should not be given any contract at all. BSNL, meanwhile, is moving ahead with the process to award the Rs 30,000-crore project. It had last week opened bids from Ericsson and Huawei after disqualifying three other vendors including ZTE, Alcatel Lucent and Nokia Siemens. The entire tendering process is being examined by the Competition Commission of India after Nokia Siemens lodged a complaint. DoT has also told BSNL that it should undertake security audits to ensure that its pan-Indian network is free from malicious software that can infiltrate the systems without the knowledge of the operator. “A self-certificate to that effect shall be submitted to DoT for carrying out the security audit,” DoT has informed BSNL. The PSU has also been told to take over the maintenance of the network from foreign vendors within two years. This means that BSNL will not be able to go for a managed services or outsourced deal with vendors. BSNL has been asked to set up a network and disaster recovery management plan with the approval of DoT. The company will also ensure that its security monitoring systems do not allow remote access. Ericsson, Huawei shortlisted for BSNL’s $6-b GSM contract More Stories on : Telecommunications | Regulatory Bodies & Rulings | PSU | Security
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