The government today said it has issued a security guideline to state-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) on the concerns raised over equipment procured from foreign companies.
"Ministry of Home Affairs/Intelligence Bureau have raised concern over the presence of foreign companies, especially from certain countries in the critical and sensitive border areas, that have national security implications. Accordingly, a security guideline has been issued to BSNL," Minister of State for Communications and IT Gurudas Kamat told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.
The Minister was answering a query on actions taken by the government to ensure proper testing and security audit of telecom network and equipment supplied by various telecom operators, including Chinese vendor Huawei.
To a query on whether state-owned telecom firm Mahangar Telephone Nigam has been assigned for providing telecom services during the Commonwealth Games 2010, Kamat said the games' Organising Committee had received a proposal and is reviewing the same.
He said that as per the proposal, the total investment is likely to be made to upgrade the exiting infrastructure and create additional infrastructure is about Rs 408 crore.