Broadband Security Testing Rollout Postponed Again

The rollout of mandatory testing for optical fibre broadband equipment by NCCS has been deferred to December 31. The delay comes amid foreign vendor hesitance over security testing. An extension allows domestic players to share the market longer. OLTs and ONTs will need mandatory certification post-extension.

The National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has postponed the mandatory security certification for optical fibre broadband gear until December 31. This marks the third such deferral by the communication security wing, as noted in an official notification.

Industry body VoICE, representing domestic telecom manufacturers, criticized the delay, alleging it was prompted by foreign vendor reluctance to undergo security testing. However, NCCS refuted these claims, maintaining that the extension aims to streamline the certification process and accommodate the concerns of Indian startups and MSMEs.

Despite the deferment, NCCS reiterated its commitment to ensuring broadband network security via the Communication Security Certification Scheme (ComSec). The agency has launched a Voluntary Security Certification regime for Optical Network Terminals (ONT) and Optical Line Terminals (OLT), which will become mandatory by January 2026.

(With inputs from agencies.)