NEW DELHI: The head of government’s high-level
5G panel A Paulraj has said that the telecom network technology from European gear makers may be as unsafe, or as safe, as their Chinese rivals, including
Huawei, and that only locally produced technology can ensure complete infrastructure safety.
“I am not sure technology from European companies has lesser security problems, than say, a Huawei,” Paulraj told ET, when asked about global network security concerns, including in India, in the wake of 5G trials and subsequent rollouts.
Huawei is competing with Finland’s Nokia and Sweden’s Ericsson, besides smaller Chinese rival
ZTE, for 5G network deals in India.
Ericsson and Nokia also manufacture parts in China but both say they have tight controls and security protocols in place.
Paulraj’s comments are significant given that he is working with the
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to prepare a roadmap for India’s venture into 5G technology in tandem with mature markets worldwide.
The Indian government has recently said there was no proposal to ban telecom equipment manufactured by Huawei, which has been allowed to participate in 5G trials being planned with mobile phone companies. Huawei has been facing increasing scrutiny in several markets for its alleged links to the Chinese government, which, some countries fear, use the company’s devices for cyber-spying.