Security fears threaten to halt MTNL, BSNL 3G services

Security agencies seem to by trying to throw a spanner in the works of state-run telecom operators Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telecom Nigam Ltd (MTNL) who have rolled out third-generation (3G) mobile phone services.

Following directions from the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the department of telecommunications (DoT) is reported to have written to both BSNL and MTNL to halt their 3G services until necessary infrastructure for call monitoring facilities have been put in place.

''The IB was of the view that till such facility is not made available by the service providers, the various services should not be offered to the subscribers. Therefore, MTNL and BSNL may not provide such services to subscribers till monitoring is not available with IB,'' the DoT note said.

BSNL, however, contends that it has followed all required security processes and would continue to provide 3G services, even as MTNL feels the onus for deploying the monitoring systems is on the IB, and not on the service providers.

The IB, however, insists that it had reached an understanding with the stakeholders as early as 2000 that the equipment required for call interception would be made available to the agency by the telecom players, while the concerned securities agencies would bear the costs.

MTNL is currently providing 3G services in Delhi while BSNL is providing the new service in Chennai. MTNL is reportedly planning a soft-launch of 3G service in Mumbai, while BSNL is planning a nation-wide roll-out.

It is unlikely that either MTNL or BSNL halt 3G services after the roll-out.