In a move to further tighten the compliance norms for sourcing telecom equipment from trusted sources, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed all telecom licensees to submit a letter of compliance to the latest amendments regarding the sourcing of equipment.
As per the new statutory compliance proposed DoT, all licensees are required to submit a compliance letter on January 1 and July 1 of every year to the licensor. The first compliance shall begin from July 1, 2021.
The new portal under the cyber wing of the National Security Council Secretariat will ensure telecom service providers use equipment only through trusted or authentic sources. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has amended the telecom and Internet Service Provider licences, among others, to mandate the use of equipment only from ‘trusted sources' from June 15, 2021.
Earlier the Centre had asked all licensees to appoint a nodal officer who will be authorised to access the new ‘trusted telecom portal', provide inputs and coordinate with the National Cyber Security Coordinator.