ZTE gets Centre’s nod to help Vodafone Idea update its network: Report
The center allowed ZTE, a Chinese telecom equipment maker, to supply optical transmission equipment worth Rs 200 crore. Vodafone idea (sixth) to update its network, The Economic Times (ET) reported on Friday. ZTE and Huawei have also applied to the National Security Council Secretariat to become a “reliable source”.
The “Reliable Source” label is required for a company to be eligible for new telecom network equipment contracts. Vi Network will be developed in three constituencies, namely Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The equipment in these circles is originally provided by Huawei.
“Because it is an upgrade of the existing network, Vi was eligible for the exemption. They informed us of the deal and clarified some questions,” an official was quoted as saying in the report.
The mark is submitted to the company after more than ten ministries have done due diligence to ensure that there is no security threat. This includes the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information Technology.
The ET report also said that the Vi-ZTE deal could be the Chinese company’s biggest since the 2022 clashes between the Indian and Chinese armed forces in the Galwan Valley. Neither ZTE nor Huawei followed through with the hashing as tensions between the two countries intensified over time.
However, these companies continued to win small ticket contracts. Also, they have done maintenance work for Bharti Airtel and Vi’s 4G network.
First published: June 30, 2023 | 9:38 am ist