<h1>India Tightens Telecom Security: New Guidelines Demand International Standards, Certification for Equipment Starting April 2013.</h1> The Indian government acknowledges the security concerns highlighted by a US report regarding Chinese telecom companies. It has implemented guidelines requiring telecom service providers to ensure the security of their networks, mandating that equipment meet specific international security standards. From April 2013, certifications must be obtained from authorized Indian agencies. Providers must retain test results for a decade for potential audits. While no specific issues have been reported from equipment originating from any country, the government remains vigilant and may tighten regulations if necessary. Efforts are also underway to boost domestic telecom equipment production for government projects.