The Centre is planning to create a separate telecom network just to keep government communication secure and make inter-ministerial exchange of information swift. The proposed network will also be used for defence and security-related matters.
This, apparently, has become necessary as opening telecom to high foreign direct investments may result in top-secret information falling into wrong hands.To be completed over three years, the alternate network will cost about Rs 300 crore.
A note to the Cabinet from the department of telecommunications (DoT) warns that, with the opening of the telecom sector and increasing cyber security threats, it has become absolutely important for government communication to remain secure and immune to manipulations by entities hostile to the country. ?With enhanced FDI of 74% in telecom, which has been allowed for the sector?s development and economic stimulation, it has become all the more important to keep critical government communication secure,? says the note.
At present, government departments deemed critical have their own networks that are used to some extent for sharing information in a secure manner. But the efficiency of these network falls sharply when used for inter-departmental communication.
The network will come up in three phases. The first phase would cater for voice communication for the national Capital and state capitals. The second phase would cover voice communication with district headquarters and the third would be for data communication needs.