Government Transfers Official Ahead Of Crucial Mandatory Telecom Testing Regime

The government has shifted a senior official from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to the North-East ahead of mandatory telecom gear and devices testing in India starting August 1, 2019.

Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC) deputy director general Shakeel Ahmad, according to a DoT notification, has been transferred to the North-East as an in-charge of the compliance of licensing conditions and the surveillance aspect of mandatory testing. His role in the current capacity ends this week. Local testing of telecom equipment has for long been a contentious issue with strong opposition from overseas equipment vendors even as their local rivals batted for it. Overseas gear makers said local testing would cost them an additional estimated Rs 1,500 crore annually in assessment charges, and may even delay network deployment and expansion plans.

But local rivals have backed the move, arguing that it’s a must for security of networks and for reduction in the country’s import bill. In fact, the telecom regulator has also recommended steps to encourage local manufacturing for security of networks and reduction in imports to help the current account deficit, among other reasons.―Economic Times