Of India's security and Chinese telecom gear makers

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Despite much crescendo over security concerns, the Chinese telecom equipment makers continue to make brisk business in India and elsewhere. Blame it on low-cost equipment or probably no cost procurement.

Time and again, both the government and service operators raise the security issue over Chinese gear makers. But after that it is business as usual for all. It's no secret that the government embraces lowest bidders while service operators get network equipment with virtually no upfront cost (on revenue-sharing basis) from these vendors.

Speaking to CIOL, Telecom Equipment Manufacturing Association (TEMA) executive director Ashok Aggarwal said that the security issue has still not been addressed despite much talk over the years. "It's not just in India, but of late, even in the US there are concerns over network equipment offered by Chinese firms such as Huawei and ZTE," he said.

The PMO too earlier took cognizance of the matter and sought replies from the ministry of home affairs (MHA) and the department of telecommunications (DoT). "PM Manmohan Singh speaks on encouraging indigenous manufacturing, but unfortunately, ground action is almost dismal," he said.

Even to that matter, Chinese entities incorporated in India shouldn't be trusted, Aggarwal feels. "Software control rests with them in all scenarios. Instead of fixing vulnerabilities, we are exposing our network to such malicious firms," he said.

The tussle with Pakistan, Aggarwal believes, is for a pre-identified region while China is a biggest threat with economic scale, besides their claim on Arunachal Pradesh. China's alleged support to Maoist rebel is, however, known today, though it has been officially denied by their regime. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2006, referred to Maoists as a single biggest internal security challenge ever faced by India.

The recent investigative report on the US national security by chairman Mike Rogers and ranking member CA Dutch Ruppersberger of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is apparently giving jitters to governments worldwide. It pointed out several violations by Huawei officials. Allegations include bribery and corruption, discriminatory behavior and copyright infringement. "Huawei's corporate history suggests ties to the military, and the company failed to provide detailed answers to questions," it said.

ZTE's known connections to Chinese government-related research institutes were also exposed. The company, report said, was unwilling to explain its relationship with the Chinese government or the Chinese Communist Party.

For full report, visit:

http://intelligence.house.gov/sites/intelligence.house.gov/files/documents/Huawei-ZTE%20Investigative%20Report%20(FINAL).pdf

In response to CIOL query, Huawei, however, said that it has a proven and unblemished track record as a stakeholder and partner in India. "We are committed to India and her growth story, given a level playing field and an open business policy," the Chinese firm said.

It also said that they have fully complied with all legal and regulatory norms for the past 12 years. "Huawei was the first vendor to sign the TSP agreement and to have offered full compliance and cooperation with customers, partners and governments as part of the solution for evolution of a robust cyber security framework," the company said.

The DoT has assured the PMO about new security framework on imported equipment. It will be mandatory for telcos to induct only those network elements, which have been tested in international laboratories for bugs and Trojan attacks. This procedure, however, will be in place till mid-2013, after which the testing will be done in Indian laboratories.