The Blackberry controversy drags on with the DoT issuing a fifteen day ultimatum to telecom companies to put in place a suitable wiretapping system. The Business Standard article linked to above suggests that before Tata, other operators may not have specifically applied for and obtained a license to specifically introduce Blackberry devices.
The Blackberry service corresponds to the description of a Unified Messaging System – the license for which bars bulk encryption without placing a specific limit of 40 bits or otherwise. (However, UMS providers are required to obtain an ISP license as well, and so the 40 bit restriction is inherited). The DoT website has a list of UMS licensees which does not include any of the Blackberry providers.
What is a UMS?
“UMS shall have the ability to record, send and process Voice, Fax and E-Mail messages of subscribers. The terms “Message” in the document shall collectively indicate Voice, Fax and E-mail unless otherwise indicate. The system shall consist of Voice Processing sub-system, Storage sub-system (for voice, fax and e-mail), and Network Interfaces and Maintenance sub-system.The objective of UMS is to allow subscribers to send, retrieve and manage messages in a uniform way, regardless of whether the message is a voice mail, a fax mail or an e-mail. In addition it shall be possible to manage the messages from various terminal types including phones, web browsers, standard e-mail clients and WAP terminals.”
I think this controversy has more to do with the existence of bulk/block encryption itself at a network-wide level, rather than at the individual user leve. Bulk encryption is forbidden for use by the “Licensee” under both the ISP and the UMS licenses. Individuals are given some relaxation on this rule and permitted to use encryption not-exceeding 40 bits and they may apply for a relaxation of this rule. However, ISPs themselves are not permitted any leeway and no mechanism exists even to apply for a relaxation.
So what’s going to happen?
0 Responses to “DoT issues 15 day ultimatum to Blackberry service providers”