The Hindu Business Line : Long distance operators hiring foreigners need Home Ministry clearance

New guidelines
In its guidelines issued on June 21 to national and international long distance operators who wish to provide VPN services, the DoT has also asked them to put in place necessary security monitoring arrangements, which shall be made available as and when required by the designated security agencies.

New Delhi , June 24

The Department of Telecom (DoT) has made it mandatory for all long distance operators to get security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs before employing foreign personnel for installation, operation and maintenance of their network.

Though the new rule is restricted to only those long distance operators who want to offer Virtual Private Network (VPN) services, the DoT move comes even as the Government is discussing whether or not to allow telecom companies to hire foreigners at key positions.

In its guidelines issued on June 21 to national and international long distance operators who wish to provide VPN services, the DoT has also asked them to put in place necessary security monitoring arrangements, which shall be made available as and when required by the designated security agencies. The cost of monitoring equipment shall be borne by the licensee.

The DoT has, however, said that the security guidelines were a stop-gap measure until a new policy is announced. As part of the policy to allow higher foreign direct investment in telecom companies, the Government is examining the case for allowing foreigners to be employed in key posts by Indian operators. While the DoT has taken a view that the foreign nationals may be allowed to hold jobs in Indian telecom companies, the final decision on the issue will come from the Prime Minister's Office. The DoT has also retained the right to inspect the sites used for offering VPN service, which is essentially used by corporates and institutions to connect their offices spread across the world through a private leased line. The department will also carry out regular inspection of the operator's network to ensure compliance.

National security has been a major concern with the Government opening up the telecom sector for private and foreign participation.

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Long distance operators hiring foreigners need Home Ministry clearance