The Ministry of Communications has officially released a notification under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, introducing new conformity requirements for telecom equipment under Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) Phase VI. This marks a critical update for telecom manufacturers, importers, and distributors across India.
Key Highlights of the Notification
1. Mandatory Certification:
From the effective date (i.e., after 180 days of notification), no person shall import, sell, distribute, or use the listed telecom equipment unless it complies with the Essential Requirements notified by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC).
2. Applicable Standards:
The conformity assessment is based on Essential Requirements prescribed by TEC. These must be adhered to strictly to ensure equipment is approved under the MTCTE framework.
3. Scope of Equipment Covered:
The notification lists 14 categories of telecommunication equipment, which are now subject to mandatory testing and certification. These include:
- Cellular Customer Premises Equipment
- Fixed Wireless Phones (Voice and Data / Voice only)
- Storage Area Network (SAN) Switch
- Fabric Interconnect Switch
- Network Security Management Equipment
- Network Security Analytics Equipment (Managed/Unmanaged)
- Content Security Equipment
- DDoS Protection Equipment
- Malware Analysis Equipment
- Web Application Firewall
- NGSO User Terminals
- NGSO Integrated Gateway
4. Standard Codes and Classifications:
Each equipment type is tagged with a unique TEC code such as TEC40012408, TEC10012409, TEC34732410, etc., to identify the applicable standards.
5. Version and Amendments:
The applicable version of each standard will be the latest published and notified version by TEC or the National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS).
Compliance Deadline
The conformity requirements will be enforced 180 days from the date of notification—i.e., from 24th August 2025. Post this date, uncertified equipment in the listed categories cannot be legally marketed or deployed in India.
What Should Manufacturers & Importers Do?
- Check Equipment Type: Ensure whether your product falls under the notified list.
- Review Essential Requirements: Download and understand the relevant ERs from the TEC portal.
- Get Equipment Tested: Apply to TEC-designated CABs (Conformity Assessment Bodies) for testing.
- Apply for Certification: Submit certification application through the MTCTE portal.
- Update Product Labels & Documentation accordingly.
Conclusion
This latest notification underscores the government's continued focus on telecom equipment security and interoperability in India. Entities involved in the telecom equipment ecosystem must act proactively to comply with these updated regulatory obligations under MTCTE Phase VI.
Need Help with MTCTE Certification?
Our experts at Aleph India assist with documentation, testing, and TEC approvals. Reach out today to ensure you're compliant before the deadline!
