The Hindu Business Line : DoT told to ensure compliance of security norms by BSNL

THE Intelligence Bureau under the Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to ensure that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) complies with the security norms for offering mobile services.

The agency has told DoT that it was facing problems in getting the call data record from BSNL's cellular network.

In a communication to DoT, the intelligence agency has said that most of the mobile switching centres (MSC) of BSNL were not located in the State capitals, which was making it difficult to monitor the network. It has asked BSNL to provide a numbering plan for all MSCs and the call data records of the switching centres located outside the State capitals since most of the monitoring facilities of the security agencies are located in State capitals.

The agency has said that it was facing problems in obtaining the call records since there was a delay on BSNL's part in providing details of its cellular subscribers. The agency also pointed out that, in some cases, the mandatory identity proof of the subscriber was missing. It has also said that the data format being given by BSNL was inconsistent and the content of short messaging was not being provided.

The letter requested that these issues "may be taken up with BSNL in the interest of the law enforcement agencies," the letter said.

When contacted, BSNL officials said that they were not aware of the IB letter.

The IB had earlier hauled up private cellular operators for not having adequate security monitoring systems in place.

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