For ensuring secure mobile phone equipment in the country, Government has recently issued a template of agreement between service providers and vendors to address security concerns, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Telecom Sachin Pilot said after consultations with the Home Ministry, the government last month prepared a template of agreement between telecom service providers and vendors of equipment to address concerns in procurement of sets from foreign vendors.

He said during Question Hour that there were concerns of a possibility of an embedded software in imported mobile phone equipment, which could violate internal security, and therefore this template was prepared.

"I don't see any problem in seeking cooperation with vendors and service providers on this matter as national safety is involved," Pilot said, adding that quite a few operators have signed it with vendors, including those from China, as it is compulsory and across the board.

He said government had issued notice in this regard to all companies importing mobile equipment from all countries, including China.

Pilot said that under the template, all vendors would have to undergo third party audit of their operations from international third party certifiers.

The minister was replying to supplementaries on whether Chinese vendors have also agreed to undergo third party audit of their operations.

To another query, Pilot said BSNL has also been allowed to import such equipment from any country including China.

"We are open to all countries. We have no prejudices and we only want secure equipment for the country," he said.

The third party audit of networks of foreign vendors includes network forensics - for identifying existing unwanted malwares (malicious software) - on all networks.

The audit also involves network hardening - for mapping all network elements and network penetration test - for assuring system durability against any kind of attack.

The audit also consists of risk assessment for understanding what actions should be taken to minimise future damage to a carrier and what risks are inevitable.