July 22: A leading European telecom vendor Ericsson has raised concerns over the proposals like sharing of source code and unlimited liability among others, as part of security clearance of telecom network equipment.
“We are specifically concerned to see obligations such as escrowing of source code (which is proprietary information), unlimited liability, no right to decline should the regulation change and lack of right of the vendor to mutually agree on the process suggested,” Ericsson said in a letter to the telecom secretary, Mr P. J. Thomas.
Amid debate over security concerns relating to telecom equipment by Chinese vendors, the government is proposing to amend the licence of telecom service providers as part of security clearance by incorporating these clauses.
As per the proposed amendment, the department of telecom (DoT) said for an Escrow deposit arrangement between the equipment suppliers and the telecom service providers will be formed wherein the suppliers shall keep all the information and documentation in relation to the supplies.
The information would include “without limitations, in respect to hardware, software, all source code, high level designs, detail design documents, listings and programmers note,” it added.
The service providers shall have the right to use the escrow information, after its release, in order to use and maintain the software, to modify the software or have it maintained by third parties.
Terming the draft agreement as “unjustly onerous”, the Sweedish equipment maker said that in its current form it would hurt the growth of the telecom industry.
Ericsson has also requested DoT to hold discussions with the firm to resolve the issue.