New Delhi: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked all internet service providers to follow the security conditions of the license, particularly concerning foreign personnel, failing which the license may be terminated.

The missive from DoT came after it was noticed that some entities were not following the security conditions scrupulously. The department has not named the entities which are found to be non-compliant.

The unified license has specific clauses for security conditions. As per clause 39.3, all foreign personnel likely to be deployed by the licensee for installation, operation and maintenance of its network shall be security cleared by the government of India prior to their deployment. The security clearance will be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Another clause mandates that majority directors on the board of the licensee company shall be Indian citizens.

“The positions of the chairman, managing director, chief executive officer, and/or chief financial officer, if held by foreign nationals, would require to be security vetted by Ministry of Home Affairs. Security vetting shall be required periodically on yearly basis. In case something adverse is found during the security vetting, the direction of MHA shall be binding on the licensee,” as per clause 39.23 (vii) of security conditions.

“It has come to notice that unified licensee security conditions are not being followed scrupulously by some entities,” the DoT said.

The directions by DoT said all licensees with internet service authorization are instructed to meticulously comply with the security conditions. “Non-adherence leads to non-compliance, which may result in termination of license after following the due course of action,” the DoT added.