It also said that the list will be reviewed and improved from time to time to keep up with improved production capacity in the country
The Department of Telecom (DoT) has issued a list of 25 telecom product segments that will qualify as local products even if they use imported components for domestic manufacturing.
These segments range from satellite phones, broadband equipment, optical fibre cable, ethernet switches etc. The notification clarified that these segments have ‘sufficient local capacity and local competition’.
The notification enables companies making telecom products to import components in public procurement projects of Bharatnet, BSNL, Railways etc in compliance with Public Procurement (preference to Make in India) order, 2017.
The notification further clarified that if printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and testing from imported/domestically manufactured parts and components using surface mount technology process is done in India then imported/domestically manufactured parts and components will be qualified for the purpose of local content.
It also said that the list will be reviewed and improved from time to time to keep up with improved production capacity in the country.
Foreign vendors Nokia, Ericsson, Cisco etc in the past have demanded that they should be treated at par with domestic telecom gear makers.
“This shall be reviewed when the semiconductor fab (electronic chip plant) in India is operational,” the notification said.
As of date, all electronic and telecom device makers import electronic chips that are used in their products.
