ZTE gets government security clearance to provide gear to Vodafone Idea

The Indian government has allowed ZTE, a Chinese gear maker, to supply optical transmission equipment worth more than Rs 200 crore to Vodafone Idea (Vi) for a network upgrade project. 

The approval for Vodafone Idea's agreement with ZTE was given by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) after Vi submitted the necessary documents clarifying that the project involves expanding and upgrading the existing network, rather than initiating a new contract. 

Both ZTE and its Chinese counterpart, Huawei, have also submitted additional documents to the NSCS to be recognized as a "trusted source," a prerequisite for supplying telecom network equipment under new contracts. Whereas these networks in various regions currently utilize equipment from Huawei, the expansion work will be exclusively carried out by ZTE.

Source: Media reports