Following the border face-off at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Indian Department of Telecom (DoT), or Indian Telecom Department ordered the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) to not use Chinese 4G equipment for its up-gradation, as per media reports.
“Sources in the government said the ministry has decided to “firmly tell BSNL” not to use Chinese equipment in view of security, ” NDTV reported.
Up-gradation of 4G facilities is part of BSNL’s revival package. The Indian Telecom Department decided to rework on the tenders in order to keep Chinese equipment out. The government has decided to ask private companies in the country to reduce their dependence on Made in China equipment, NDTV added.
In the border clash between Indian soldiers and Chinese troops at Ladakh, 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives. Casualties were reported on both sides. This was the first violent face-off since 1975 at the LAC.
Many big Chinese telecom companies have direct links with the Communist Party of China(CCP). Many nations fear spying activities by the CCP.
In 2012, a US committee warned of cyber threats from telecom equipment designed by Chinese companies. At present, the US government banned the use of Huawei mobiles and telecom equipment citing security reasons.
In 2014, the Indian government found out that Chinese telecom giant Huawei allegedly hacked into the BSNL network, this matter is an ongoing Investigation, said media reports. However, Chinese companies always denied such actions, according to sources.