Indian Department of Telecommunications: Updated MTCTE Compliance Deadlines

The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) of India modified the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) in June of 2022, indicating its deadline for compliance for Phase III and Phase IV products by July 1, 2023. However, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has extended this deadline for both Phase III and IV products. 

These products under Phase III and IV that have been granted a three-month extension until October 1, 2023, include:

➔    Equipment identity registers
➔    IoT gateway equipment
➔    IP phones
➔    Media gateways
➔    Routers operating in 2.4GHz and 5GHz band
➔    Serving mobile location center equipment
➔    Signaling gateway equipment
➔    Session border controllers
➔    Smart electric meters
➔    Switches
➔    Tracking devices
➔    Wireless access points 
➔    For a completed list of extended products, please reach out to us.

These products have been given a six-month extension, with a new mandatory deadline falling on January 1, 2024:

➔    Base station and repeater for cellular networks
➔    Broadcast transmitters
➔    Microwave radio systems
➔    Optical fiber-single-mode equipment 
➔    Satellite communication equipment 
➔    SIM
➔    For a completed list of extended products, please reach out to us.

The DoT has also extended the final date of acceptance for test reports issued by ILAC-accredited laboratories (for technical parameters only) from non-bordering countries until December 30, 2023. Manufacturers must still obtain a security certificate from the TEC or Indian Common Criteria Certification Scheme (IC3S) laboratory to meet security parameters. 

Additionally, the DoT alerted Indian importers and manufacturers of telecommunications equipment that all products listed under Phase V of MTCTE must receive mandatory certification by July 1, 2024. Phase V products include:

➔    5G core
➔    Base station for cellular network for 5G
➔    Converged multi-service application access equipment (C-MSAAE)
➔    E-band fixed radio relay systems
➔    Hybrid set-top boxes
➔    Hypervisor
➔    IP terminals

How Nemko Can Help
It’s important to be proactive in arranging for in-country testing in order to secure certification from a Notified Body as soon as possible. Allow Nemko India to assist. With a large facility located in Faridabad right outside of New Delhi, our team of dedicated experts offer a variety of testing services paired with industry insights to help your organization get ready for these upcoming changes. Learn more about how Nemko can help before these impending deadlines grow closer.