Telecom gear forms "central nervous system", should be produced locally: TRAI Chairman

While the mobile handsets are at the edge of the system, the central nervous system is also an extremely important and sensitive piece, and therefore the equipment must be manufactured within the country, TRAI Chairman R S Sharma said.

New Delhi: Amid wide-scale concerns over the use of Chinese gear in telecom networks, TRAI Chairman R S Sharma has said that the telecom equipment forms the "central nervous system" of sensitive and strategically-important telecom networks and the equipment should be produced in the country.

While the country has become a manufacturing powerhouse for mobile handsets, the same must also be done for telecom equipment, Sharma told PTI.

He added that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had earlier given its detailed recommendations on promoting local telecom equipment manufacturing.

Sharma's comments assume significance in the backdrop of growing clamour around the world, as also in India, against the use of Chinese equipment in networks over security concerns.

It may be recalled the US President Donald Trump banned the Chinese telecom major Huawei from the domestic communications networks.

India is evaluating whether Huawei and ZTE should be kept out of upcoming 5G trials, though a final decision on the issue is yet to come.

Strategic Reasons

Asked if a renewed push for indegenious manufacturing in telecom is all the more important given the red-flags around Chinese-made equipment, he said, "Definitely. Certainly, it is important. Strategically, it is important."

"So we have given our suggestions on what should be done to drive that process," the TRAI chairman added.

Recently, India banned 106 apps, including the popular ones like TikTok, Helo and WeChat, which have links to China for being prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and defence of the country.

In July, state-owned BSNL cancelled a multi-crore tender for 4G telecom network upgrade after the government asked the firm not to use any Chinese equipment.

(With PTI Inputs)