Curbs against Chinese firms pose challenge for India's telcos

Decoupling move will not be easy and will add to existing financial stress, say analysts

Commuters on a Mumbai suburban train. India's telecom industry has over the past two decades transformed the lives of millions of Indians to the point where even the poor can afford a phone and a connection. But many companies, ridden by debt and tou
Commuters on a Mumbai suburban train. India's telecom industry has over the past two decades transformed the lives of millions of Indians to the point where even the poor can afford a phone and a connection. But many companies, ridden by debt and tough competition, have also folded, and analysts say knocking Chinese firms out of the competition would add to financial stress. PHOTO: REUTERS
Nirmala Ganapathy India Bureau Chief In New Delhi
Updated
Aug 28, 2020, 08:17 AM
Published
Aug 28, 2020, 05:00 AM
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India is quietly tightening regulations against Chinese firms in the telecommunications sector as border troubles simmer, with China's Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp reportedly being barred from upcoming 5G trials.

But industry insiders and telecom experts said that decoupling from the Chinese firms is not going to be easy or cost effective.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 28, 2020, with the headline Curbs against Chinese firms pose challenge for India's telcos. Subscribe

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