NEW DELHI, INDIA: Giving a sigh of relief to telecom service providers from recent stringent amendments in Universal Access Service License condition, Prime Minister’s office has asked the Department of Telecom to review these amendments. 

Prime Minister office in a letter dated 6th August has asked the DoT to review the changed license condition in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs within two months time from the date this letter was issued.

“DoT is requested to examine in consultation with MHA whether there is any merit in any of the concern and whether in the light of any international best practices some alternative mechanisms in resolution to these issues need to be put in place,” stated the letter referring to recent amendment in UASL condition made to address security concern raised by MHA.

This letter has directed DoT, to have telecom service providers adopt either old regime of equipment clearance or the new regime as mentioned in new UASL condition.

“Both processes of security clearance, the new one and old regime, can be operated concurrently. Telecom Service Providers are free to adopt either mechanism,” stated this letter.

As per old system, every TSP has to submit to DoT the list of equipment which it is sourcing for deployment in the network. DoT then would forward this list to MHA. If DoT did not receive any objection from MHA then the list of equipments submitted by TSP stood cleared.

In the new system, a TSP is free to source telecom equipments from any vendor as per guidelines mentioned in the recently amended UASL condition

The new guidelines introduced by DoT in UASL, made it mandatory for equipment suppliers to share the software source code and the design details to address security-related concerns. This new security condition clause of UAS license agreement has put complete onus on telecom companies for any kind of security breach arising out of their network. Any breach in security had been linked with heavy amount of fine on the telecom service provider.

Any loophole in security can lead to fine of Rs. 50 crore plus the value of the purchase order if any malware or security glitch is found in their network, as per the changed UASL condition. These amended norms also mention that an additional 100 per cent of contract value shall be levied in the case of security breach of any manner that will be found in the network of telecom service providers.

Some European vendors have raised objection on sharing their source code with the TSP as they fear that equipment source code might get leaked. This letter from PMO shows that it is under pressure from telecom equipment vendors who have raised their concerns on the changed UASL condition.