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Vodafone's mobile net usage tracking solution for J&K rejected

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 9/17/2012 1:05:41 AM

NEW DELHI, Sep 16: : The Department of Telecom has rejected the solution offered by Vodafone for monitoring mobile internet activity in Jammu and Kashmir saying it does not meet the government's requirement for tracking net usage.
"The solution submitted by Vodafone does not seem to be in tune with the requirement of DoT," sources in Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said.
Telecom operators are required to install monitoring equipment so that internet activity in Jammu and Kashmir can be tracked by the security agencies.
When contacted, Vodafone declined to comment. The operators were asked by the government to ensure commissioning of the requisite equipment by July 15, 2012 so that communications on the internet can be monitored on real-time basis.
Intelligence officials have expressed concern over the lack of real-time monitoring of communication exchanges taking place over the internet.
All the six private telecom players operating in the state, including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, Reliance Communications, Tata Teleservices and Aircel have submitted the solution for monitoring internet activity to DoT.
In their response, Idea said it has complied with the requirement of providing facility through internet node at Mumbai, while Tata Teleservices said it has installed two servers at Jammu.
Sources said Reliance Communications has responded saying it has shifted equipment from Chennai to Delhi, while Airtel said it will offer a final solution on or before first week of December 2012.
Aircel has responded saying it is in advanced phase of implementation and is evaluating the commissioning, space requirements etc, which will take about 4-6 weeks, they added.
Vodafone is believed to have said it is complying with requirements of providing tapping facility of entire J&K mobile internet traffic through its three internet node located at Chennai, Mumbai and Gurgaon.
However, DoT said the solution offered by Vodafone is not in tune with the requirement, while Aircel has not yet communicated its readiness to install the equipment.
"The case is submitted for decision for action to be taken against two remaining operators namely Vodafone and Aircel who have yet not complied with the requirement of installation of mobile internet monitoring," sources said.
The solution offered by remaining four operators has been forwarded to the Home Ministry for final approval.
Also, certain security related issues raised by Aircel, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone have also been referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs, sources said.