Indian Telecom Companies and VoICE Group Push for Government Action Against Chinese Imports

Indian telecom companies, along with the Voice of Indian Communication Technology Enterprises (VoICE) group, are urging the government to take action against imports from China in the telecom equipment sector. This initiative aligns with the goal of promoting self-reliance in India and supporting domestic manufacturers like TCS, Tejas Networks, and STL.

Key Points:

Lobbying for Curbing Chinese Imports: Indian telecom equipment manufacturers argue that imports from China contradict the spirit of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative and hinder their growth. VoICE highlights that despite government guidelines, Chinese imports persist, raising concerns for domestic manufacturers.

Import Volume and Concerns: Chinese imports account for nearly 40% of India’s total telecom sector imports, including crucial components like optical fiber cables. VoICE emphasizes that Indian companies have the capacity to fulfill India’s telecom equipment needs entirely.

Companies Importing from China: VoICE identifies top companies importing equipment from China, including Cisco, D-Link, TP-Link, Hikvision, Netgear, Hewlett Packard, and Juniper. These imports cover access points, switches, and radio equipment.

Call for Stricter Enforcement: VoICE advocates for stricter enforcement of border policies and action against officials overlooking violations. They propose a review of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) procurement process to prevent Chinese products from entering government orders.

Measures Against Shell Companies: VoICE suggests implementing stricter controls on traders who import or reroute equipment through shell companies to evade customs checks. They propose a centralized system to blacklist such companies across all government departments.

By implementing these measures, the Indian government can support domestic manufacturers and promote self-reliance in the critical telecom sector.