TEC APPROVAL

TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING CENTRE (TEC)

16490 | 10 min | 25 Sep 2024

INTRODUCTION

TEC: Since the early 2000s, the telecom industry has been swept up in fast liberalization and innovation. Companies in the telecommunications business send data around the globe in the form of words, voice, audio, or video. The three basic sub-sectors of telecommunications are telecom equipment, telecom services, and wireless communication.

In the 1830s, the first mechanical gadget Telegraph was invented with its invention telecommunication industry began. With the advancement of the technology, telecommunication sector has progressed. In order to maintain the progress of the telecom sector, the government of India in 1991 started a new department TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING CENTRE under which standards are developed for the telecommunication sector and ensure the world-class network and the seamless connectivity of individual networks.

A TEC certificate is required for telecom equipment dealers to import, manufacture, and sell such equipment. The Telecommunication Engineering Centre issues this TEC certificate after the telecom equipment undergoes testing under the MTCTE (Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment) scheme.

You'll receive a unique registration number once you complete the TEC Registration process. This number serves as your equipment's unique identifier. You can prominently display this certification on your product to assure customers of its authenticity and compliance.

What is TEC Approval | TEC Certificate Full Form?

TEC stands for Telecommunication Engineering Centre. TEC assists the Government of India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in the development and implementation of different standards and policies for the safe and secure use of emerging technologies in telecommunications. TEC India has published specifications for telecom equipment quality measures. Generic Requirements (GRs), Interface Requirements (IRs), and Service Requirements (SR) are the three types of specifications.

TYPES OF VOLUNTARY TESTING CERTIFICATION

TEC India is responsible to issue various approvals such as Interface Approvals, Certificate of Approvals, Service Approvals and Type Approvals. This certification scheme is totally based on the type of products and interface technical related standards. Certification is totally based on the testing parameters and as per the conditions mentioned in the Technical standards.

  1. Type Approval - Type Approval is the process of testing and certifying a telecom product in accordance with TEC's Test Schedule & Test Procedure (TSTP) for compliance to the Standard for Products/Equipment (erroneously known as the product's Generic Requirement (GR)). Testing is on-site at the OEMs premises or in a lab environment. EMC, Safety, Environmental Testing etc. from ILAC signatory accredited labs test reports are also accepted.

  2. Interface Approval - Interface Approval is the process of testing and certifying a telecom product in accordance with TEC's Test Schedule & Test Procedure (TSTP) for compliance with the Standard for Products/Equipment (erroneously known as the product's Interface Requirement (IR)). Testing is on-site at the OEMs premises or in a lab environment. EMC, Safety, Environmental Testing etc. from ILAC signatory accredited labs test reports are also accepted. License requirements, Government agencies, or service providers may require Interface Approval as mandatory certification.

  3. Certificate of Approval - The process of testing and certifying a telecom product according to the manufacturer's criteria is known as Certificate of Approval (CoA). Only when TEC does not have a Generic or Interface Requirement for the product is this certificate issued. Testing is on-site at the OEMs premises or in lab environment. EMC, Safety, Environmental Testing etc. from ILAC signatory accredited labs test reports are also accepted.

  4. Technology Approval - The process of testing and certification of a prototype of a telecom product developed by C-DoT or other R&D organizations is known as technology approval. Technology Approval is granted in accordance with the product's associated standard, formerly known as the Generic Requirement (GR) provided by TEC. Testing is on-site at the OEMs premises or in a lab environment. EMC, Safety, Environmental Testing etc. from ILAC signatory accredited labs test reports are also accepted.

PRODUCTS UNDER TEC Approval

MANDATORY TESTING AND CERTIFICATION OF TELECOM EQUIPMENT (MTCTE)

Every telecom equipment must undergo mandatory testing and certification prior to sale, import, or usage in India, according to the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017. The testing is to be carried out for conformance to Essential Requirements (ER) for the equipment, by Indian Accredited Labs designated by TEC and based upon their test reports; a TEC certificate shall be issued by Telecommunication Engineering Centre.

WHAT IS MTCTE (MANDATORY TESTING AND CERTIFICATION OF TELECOM EQUIPMENT)

In India, no telecom equipment can be sold, used, or imported without undergo compulsory testing and certification, as per The Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017. This comprehensive procedure is governed by the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) scheme. A total of 74 telecom products and their variants are included under MTCTE.

The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) appoints laboratories for testing, which is done to check vital technical and safety aspects. Based on these tests, TEC issues the certification for the equipment.

OBJECTIVES OF THE MTCTE
Ensuring that telecom equipment does not interfere with the performance of any existing network it connects to.
Guaranteeing the safety of end-users.
Protecting users and the public by ensuring that radiofrequency emissions from the equipment remain within prescribed limits.
Ensuring that telecom equipment complies with relevant national and international regulatory standards and requirements.

TYPE OF TEC CERTIFICATION COVERED UNDER MTCTE

The MTCTE scheme includes different types of TEC certifications, each catering to various compliance and safety requirements for telecom equipment. Some major type of TEC Certification are as follows:

  1. MANDATORY TEC CERTIFICATION
  2. VOLUNTARY TEC CERTIFICATION
  3. VOLUNTARY SECURITY CERTIFICATION
  4. CAS/SMS CERTIFICATION

Let’s understand each type of TEC Certification one by one:

MANDATORY TEC CERTIFICATION

TEC observed the need for foresight regarding the mandatory certification of particular items which are important for consumer security and safety. As such, these products must be TEC certified. Under MTCTE, there are two types of certification schemes.

A) MANDATORY CERTIFICATION SCHEMES

1. General Certification Scheme (GCS): In this scheme, it is expected from the applicant to provide a compliance summary and not only actual test reports but also a multi-step report alongside relevant test certificates. Testing is carried out in accordance with the parameters specified in the Essential Requirements (ERs) by a CAB or its equivalent from a MRA Partner Country. The certification processes in GCS takes approximately 40 to 45 working days.

2. Simplified Certification Scheme (SCS): As for this scheme, it is necessary for an applicant to test the product according to the ERs, fill up a compliance checklist, and submit it together with a Self-Declaration of Conformity (SDoC). SCS is also bound by the same rules and procedures as GCS. The only difference is, the applicant is not obligated to submit the reports or have TEC vet the reports. However, TEC does have the prerogative to demand the report from the applicant. The time associated with SCS is significantly less, assuming simplification succeeds during formality reductions. For the manufacturer, it usually takes around 15 to 20 working days to issue the certificate.

B) REQUIREMENTS: The Essential Requirements (ERs) include:

  • Safety – The equipment must be safe to use.
  • Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) / Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) – The equipment must not cause or experience electromagnetic interference.
  • Technical Requirements – The equipment must meet performance standards for wireless and radio frequency (RF) signals.
  • Security – To be specified by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

C) MTCTE MANDATORY TEC CERTIFICATION PROCESS

STEP DESCRIPTION
Portal Registration
  • Create an account on the MTCTE portal.
  • The Indian entity (OEM/Trader/Indian Representative) must register and provide company details, including PAN card and registration certificate.
  • Authorized representative details and factory registration (for foreign OEM) need to be submitted.
Product Selection
  • Select the product and its variants.
  • Define available interfaces and upload the Bill of Materials (BoM).
  • The portal will display the applicable certification scheme, Essential Requirements (ER), and fees.
BoM Evaluation TEC officials will review and approve the BoM.
Fee Payment Pay the applicable fee for testing and certification.
Product Testing Submit product samples to the designated lab for testing based on EMI/EMC, safety, and technical requirements.
Test Report Submission Submit the test report to TEC for evaluation.
Document Scrutiny TEC will verify the submitted documents and communicate any deficiencies to the applicant. Once deficiencies are corrected, the application will be accepted for final evaluation.
Certification If the equipment meets all compliance requirements, TEC will issue the certificate.

MTCTE CERTIFICATION FEE

GROUP OF EQUIPMENT ADMINISTRATIVE FEE TEST REPORT EVALUATION FEE
A INR 10,000/- INR 50,000/-
B INR 20,000/- INR 1,00,000/-
C INR 30,000/- INR 2,00,000/-
D INR 50,000/- INR 4,00,000/-

PRODUCTS COVERED BY TEC/MTCTE UNDER MENDATORY CERTIFICATION

S. No. Product Name Phase Mandatory Certification Date
1 2-Wire Telephone Equipment Phase I 01-Oct-2019
2 G3 Fax Machine Phase I 01-Oct-2019
3 Modem Phase I 01-Oct-2019
4 Cordless Telephone Phase I 01-Oct-2019
5 ISDN Customer Premises Equipment Phase I 01-Oct-2019
6 Private Automatic Branch Exchange Phase I 01-Oct-2019
7 PON (Passive Optical Network) Equipment Phase II 01-Oct-2020
8 Feedback Device Phase II 01-Oct-2020
9 Transmission Terminal Equipment Phase II 01-Oct-2020
10 Wireless Access Equipment (2.4/5 GHz) Phase III 01-Jan-2024
11 WLAN Controller Equipment Phase III 01-Jan-2024
12 End Point Device for Environmental Monitoring Phase III 01-Jan-2024
13 Repeater for Cellular Network Phase III 01-Apr-2024
14 Base Station for Cellular Network (up to 4G) Phase III 01-Aug-2024
15 Compact Cellular Network Phase III 01-Jan-2024
16 IoT Gateway Phase III 01-Jan-2024
17 Tracking Device Phase III 01-Jan-2024
18 Smart Electricity Meter Phase III 01-Oct-2024
19 Mobile Radio Trunking System Phase IV 01-Aug-2024
20 HF (High Frequency) Radio Phase IV 01-Apr-2024
21 VHF/UHF Radio System Equipment Phase IV 01-Aug-2024
22 Microwave Fixed Radio Systems Phase IV 01-Aug-2024
23 Media Gateway Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
24 Signalling Gateway Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
25 Session Border Controller Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
26 Softswitch Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
27 DSL Equipment Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
28 Satellite Communication Equipment Phase IV 01-Oct-2024
29 LAN Switch Phase IV 01-Aug-2024
30 Router Phase IV 01-Aug-2024
31 Firewall and Security Equipment Phase IV 01-Aug-2024
32 Precision Timing Protocol Grand Master Equipment Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
33 Mobile Management Entity Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
34 Cell Broadcast Centre Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
35 IP Multimedia Conferencing Equipment Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
36 BSC (Base Station Controller) and RNC (Radio Network Controller) Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
37 SMLC (Serving Mobile Location Centre) Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
38 SGSN and GGSN Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
39 HLR, AUC, HSS (Home Location Register) Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
40 MSC and VLR Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
41 Infiniband Switch Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
42 OTA (Over-The-Air) and FOTA (Firmware Over-The-Air) Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
43 SCP (Service Control Point) Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
44 OMC, EMS, NMS, OSS Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
45 S-GW and P-GW Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
46 SMSC (Short Message Service Centre) Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
47 GMLC (Gateway Mobile Location Centre) Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
48 EIR (Equipment Identity Register) Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
49 Optical Fibre Cable Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
50 SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) Phase IV 01-Aug-2024
51 Radio Broadcast Receiver Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
52 Optical Fibre (Single Mode) Phase IV 01-Jan-2024
53 Base Station for Cellular Network (5G) Phase V 01-Oct-2024
54 5G Core Phase V 01-Jul-2024
55 Hypervisor Phase V 01-Oct-2024
56 E-Band Fixed Radio Relay Systems Phase V 01-Jul-2024
57 Converged Multi-Service Application Access Equipment Phase V 01-Jul-2024
58 IP Terminal Phase V 01-Oct-2024

VOLUNTARY TEC CERTIFICATION

Voluntary Certification in TEC allows manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers to acquire certification for their telecom equipment or infrastructure even if it is not legally mandated under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) scheme. Such certification increases the value of various items and is considered as a mark of quality, safety, and compliance due to its emphasis on TEC’s standards.

A) OBJECTIVE OF VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION

The objectives of voluntary certification include verifying the quality and performance of telecom equipment, increasing acceptance in the market, and improving customer trust regarding the equipment. It allows manufacturers to claim compliance with various applicable national and international standards, thus gaining market edge and officially recognized technical merit, even in the absence of regulations imposed under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) scheme.

B) MTCTE MANDATORY TEC CERTIFICATION PROCESS

STEP DESCRIPTION
Application Submission Applicant submits the certification request through the TEC portal, providing product details and supporting documents.
Documentation Review TEC reviews the submitted technical documentation and test reports for compliance with applicable TEC standards.
Testing (if required) TEC may direct the product for testing at TEC-designated labs to verify compliance with technical standards.
Evaluation TEC evaluates the test results and documentation.
Issuance of Certificate If the product meets TEC’s technical requirements, a Voluntary Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is issued.

C) PRODUCTS COVERED BY TEC/MTCTE UNDER VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION

  • Telecom network equipment: routers, switches, base stations
  • Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)
  • Transmission and Access Systems
  • Optical Fiber and Copper Infrastructure
  • Internet of Things (IoT) devices
  • Wireless equipment: Wi-Fi, LTE, 5G etc

VOLUNTARY SECURITY CERTIFICATION IN TEC

The TEC Voluntary Security Certification allows manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers to get certification for the security features and capabilities of their telecommunication products even when such certification is not mandatory by law. It illustrates that the product certified has met the criteria set in security standards and best practices developed by TEC.

OBJECTIVE OF VOLUNTARY SECURITY CERTIFICATION

Aim of the Voluntary Security Certification is to improve the security of telecommunication networks and equipment, safeguarding it from possible hacking or data breaches. It also promotes international standards of security which is vital in increasing the trust that customers have for telecom products. The certification entails access control, data encryption, software integrity, vulnerability management, secure communication and logging, documentation or physical security, and protection of remote access.

PROCESS OF VOLUNTARY SECURITY CERTIFICATION

STEP DESCRIPTION
Application Submission Applicant submits a request through the TEC portal, providing product details and security-related technical documentation.
Documentation Review TEC reviews the submitted security architecture, design documents, and test reports.
Security Testing (if required) TEC may direct the product to undergo testing at accredited labs to validate security features.
Evaluation TEC evaluates the test results and documentation against the defined security standards.
Issuance of Certificate If the product meets TEC’s security requirements, a Voluntary Security Certificate is issued.

C) PRODUCTS COVERED BY TEC/MTCTE UNDER VOLUNTARY SECURITY CERTIFICATION

  • Network infrastructure equipment (e.g., routers, switches, firewalls)
  • Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)
  • Mobile communication systems
  • Internet of Things (IoT) devices
  • Wireless communication equipment (e.g., Wi-Fi, 5G, LTE)
  • Cloud-based telecom solutions
  • Software-defined networking (SDN) components

CAS/SMS CERTIFICATION IN TEC

The Quality, Security and Reliability of Telecom Equipment is maintained in India by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) under the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications. TEC has developed a certification CAS/SMS for access control and subscriber management systems, which is in compliance with TEC’s requirements for content control and subscriber management security standards. Content Access Services (CAS) limit how users can access information while Subscription Management Services (SMS) take care of subscriber services such as billing and authentication.

In alignment with directions given by MIB and TRAI, the purpose of these guidelines is to prevent piracy of content, protection of consumer information, and restrict access to paid information. Eligible entities for this certification are not limited to manufacturers, providers, broadcasters, DTH operators, Cable TV operators and system integrator. Important technical requirements include encryption, authentication on the part of the subscribers, secure data transfer, data protection, logging, and provision of services in a non-discriminatory manner.

COMPARISON OF MANDATORY, VOLUNTARY, VOLUNTARY SECURITY, AND CAS/SMS CERTIFICATION IN TEC

FEATURE MANDATORY CERTIFICATION VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION VOLUNTARY SECURITY CERTIFICATION CAS/SMS CERTIFICATION
PURPOSE Ensure telecom products meet technical, safety, and regulatory standards. Demonstrate product quality and performance beyond regulatory requirements. Ensure security and protection of telecom products from cyber threats. Ensure security and proper management of broadcast content and subscribers.
LEGAL REQUIREMENT Legally required for certain telecom products under MTCTE. Not legally required. Not legally required. Mandatory for CAS and SMS systems used by broadcasters and DTH operators.
SCOPE Covers telecom products like network equipment, IoT, CPE, etc. Open to any telecom product (not restricted by MTCTE list). Focused on security aspects of telecom equipment. Focused on pay-TV and broadcasting systems (DTH, cable TV).
TESTING Functional, safety, and environmental testing. Performance and interoperability testing. Security-specific testing (encryption, authentication). Encryption strength, access control, and subscriber data protection.
SECURITY FOCUS Basic security checks (if applicable). No focus on security; mainly performance and quality. High focus on data security, access control, and vulnerability protection. Strong focus on encryption, secure transmission, and subscriber authentication.
ISSUED BY TEC TEC TEC TEC
STANDARDS FOLLOWED TEC and Indian telecom standards. TEC technical and performance standards. TEC-defined security standards and global best practices. TRAI and MIB guidelines, TEC security standards.
COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT Essential for selling certain telecom products in India. Optional; enhances market acceptance and credibility. Optional; enhances product security and market trust. Essential for providing pay-TV and broadcasting services in India.
MARKET ACCESS Required for domestic market entry (if listed under MTCTE). Facilitates better market acceptance and differentiation. Builds trust in the security of the product, enhances reputation. Mandatory for integration with Indian broadcasting infrastructure.
EXAMPLE PRODUCTS Routers, switches, base stations, IoT devices. Wireless equipment, telecom infrastructure, customer premises equipment. Firewalls, VPNs, network security products. Set-top boxes, encryption modules, billing and subscription platforms.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE Compliance with Indian telecom regulations. Improves product credibility and market acceptance. Enhances product security and customer confidence. Protects against piracy, ensures regulatory compliance, and enhances service reliability.
CERTIFICATION VALIDITY Up to 10 years Typically 5 years. Typically 5 years. Typically 5 years.

BASIC DOCUMENT REQUIRED FOR MANDATORY TESTING & CERTIFICATION

In order to get MTCTE certification, some documents need to be submitted like registration of the company, respective authorization letters, and Articles of Association. Mentioned below are some other primary documents that are required before applying for TEC. Note: these are the basic documents; further documents might be needed based on the nature of the product and the type of certification.

  • Company Registration Document
  • Authorization Letter from the company (Indian OEM and AIR for Foreign OEM) for MTCTE related responsibilities
  • Company's Articles of Association (AoA), signed by Director or Company Secretary.
  • Company's Memorandum of Association (MoA), signed by Director or Company Secretary as per norms.
  • Latest Shareholding Pattern showing board members/shareholders.
  • MoU between foreign OEM and Indian representative (AIR) for product sales and support in India, authorizing the AIR for MTCTE responsibilities.
  • Trademark Certificate

TIMELINE FOR TEC/MTCTE CERTIFICATION

In order to get MTCTE certification, some documents need to be submitted like registration of the company, respective authorization letters, and Articles of Association. Mentioned below are some other primary documents that are required before applying for TEC. Note: these are the basic documents; further documents might be needed based on the nature of the product and the type of certification.

Certification Type Duration
MANDATORY CERTIFICATION 60 Days*
VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION 20-30 Days*
VOLUNTARY SECURITY CERTIFICATION 60-90 Days*
CAS/SMS CERTIFICATION 90-120 Days*

TEC REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE COST FOR EQUIPMENT

The general costs and government fees are categorized into groups, with various products classified accordingly. Provided below is an overview of the basic fee structure. Please note that additional fees may apply, including but not limited to testing fees and professional fees, particularly if your products lack valid test reports or if you require assistance from professionals.

HOW CAN ALEPH INDIA HELP YOU TO GET A MTCTE/TEC APPROVAL?

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  • Trust Aleph INDIA to assist you in obtaining the TEC Certificate, ensuring your telecom product meets the necessary quality and safety criteria for the Indian market.
PRODUCTS COVERED UNDER Phase I of MTCTE: 

Starting from 1 October 2019, it became compulsory for manufacturers or importers of telecom equipment covered under MTCTE Phase l to obtain TEC certification for their product. MTCTE Phase 1 covered a wide range of products, including mobile phones, telephones, fax machines, modems, wireless devices, satellite communication equipment, and more. List Of Products (Essential Requirements) Covered Under Phase-l of MTCTE are:


S. No. Product Name Product Variant Name Category of Product (GCS/SCS)
1. 2- Wire Telephone Equipment 2-Line Feature Phone SCS
2. 2- Wire Telephone Equipment CLIP Phone SCS
3. 2- Wire Telephone Equipment Coin Box Telephone SCS
4. 2- Wire Telephone Equipment Coin Box Telephone - Table Top Interface SCS
5. 2- Wire Telephone Equipment Electronic Telephone Instrument SCS
6. 2- Wire Telephone Equipment Executive Telephone Systems SCS
7. 2- Wire Telephone Equipment Key Telephone System SCS
8. 2- Wire Telephone Equipment Key Telephone Systems with proprietary interface SCS
9. 2- Wire Telephone Equipment NSD or ISD Payphone SCS
10. 2- Wire Telephone Equipment Terminals for connecting to PSTN SCS
11. G3 Fax Machine FAX machine with handset SCS
12. G3 Fax Machine FAX machine without handset SCS
13. Modem V.90 or V.92 or V.21 to V.34 Modem SCS
14. Cordless Telephone Cordless Telephone SCS
15. ISDN Customer Premises Equipment ISDN Gateway SCS
16. ISDN Customer Premises Equipment ISDN NT-1 Network Termination SCS
17. ISDN Customer Premises Equipment ISDN Terminal SCS
18. ISDN Customer Premises Equipment ISDN Terminal Adapter SCS
19. ISDN Customer Premises Equipment Multipoint Conferencing Server SCS
20. ISDN Customer Premises Equipment PC card based ISDN Terminal SCS
21. Private Automatic Branch Exchange Private Automatic Branch Exchange SCS
PRODUCTS COVERED UNDER Phase II of MTCTE: 

Effective from 1 October 2020, it is mandatory to obtain TEC certification for the products covered under MTCTE Phase 2 before selling them in India. Phase 2 of the MTCTE scheme encompassed a wide range of telecom equipment, including routers, switches, network interface devices, optical transport equipment, and more. List Of Products (Essential Requirements) Covered Under Phase-ll of MTCTE are:


S. No. Product Name Product Variant Name Category of Product (GCS/SCS)
1. PON Family of Broadband Equipment PON ONU SCS
2. PON Family of Broadband Equipment PON ONT SCS
3. PON Family of Broadband Equipment PON OLT SCS
4. Feedback Device Feedback Device SCS
5. Transmission Terminal Equipment1 Multiplexing Equipment SCS
6. Transmission Terminal Equipment1 SDH Equipment SCS
PRODUCTS COVERED UNDER Phase III of MTCTE: 

Starting from 1 October 2023, manufacturers or importers of 10 specific telecom products will be obligated to obtain certification before selling them in India. Additionally, starting from 1 January 2024, an additional 14 products will come under the mandatory certification requirement.


S. No. Product Name Product Variant Name Category of Product (GCS/SCS)
1. Equipments Operating in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Band PTP PMP Wireless Access Equipment 2.4 or 5 GHz SCS
2. Equipments Operating in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Band Wifi Access Points and CPE SCS
3. Equipments Operating in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Band WLAN Controller Equipment SCS
4. IoT Gateway IoT Gateway GCS
5. Tracking Device Asset Tracking Device SCS
6. Tracking Device Human Tracking Device SCS
7. Tracking Device Pet Tracking Device SCS
8. Tracking Device Vehicle Tracking Device SCS
9. Smart Electricity Meter Smart Electricity Meter SCS
10. End Point Device for Environmental Monitoring End Point Device for Environmental Monitoring SCS
11. Repeater for Cellular Network GSM and WCDMA Repeater GCS
12. Repeater for Cellular Network GSM Repeater GCS
13. Repeater for Cellular Network GSM WCDMA and LTE Repeater GCS
14. Repeater for Cellular Network LTE Repeater GCS
15. Repeater for Cellular Network WCDMA and LTE Repeater GCS
16. Repeater for Cellular Network WCDMA Repeater GCS
17. Base Station for Cellular Network BTS for GSM GCS
18. Base Station for Cellular Network BTS with AAS GCS
19. Base Station for Cellular Network BTS with MSR GCS
20. Base Station for Cellular Network eNodeB for LTE GCS
21. Base Station for Cellular Network NodeB for WCDMA GCS
22. Compact Cellular Network BTS CCN GCS
23. Compact Cellular Network eNodeB CCN GCS
24. Compact Cellular Network NodeB CCN GCS
PRODUCTS COVERED UNDER Phase IV of MTCTE:

The date of mandatory certification for products covered under MTCTE Phase lV varies, with some products requiring mandatory TEC certification from 1 October 2023, while others will need certification starting from 1 January 2024.


S. No. Product Name Product Variant Name Category of Product (GCS/SCS)
1. LAN Switch L2 LAN Switch SCS
2. LAN Switch L3 LAN Switch SCS
3. LAN Switch MPLS TP CEN Switch SCS
4. LAN Switch L2 Unmanaged Switch SCS
5. Router BNG or BRAS Router SCS
6. Router Cloud Control Capable Router SCS
7. Router IPV4 Router SCS
8. Router IPV6 Router SCS
9. Router MPLS Router SCS
10. IP Security Equipment Firewall Equipment SCS
11. IP Security Equipment Intrusion Detection System Equipment SCS
12. IP Security Equipment Intrusion Prevention System Equipment SCS
13. IP Security Equipment Unified Threat Management Equipment SCS
14. Media Gateway Line Media Gateway SCS
15. Media Gateway Media Gateway SCS
16. Media Gateway Media Gateway for CPE SCS
17. Signalling Gateway Signalling Gateway SCS
18. Softswitch Softswitch SCS
19. Infiniband Switch Infiniband Switch SCS
20. IP Multimedia Conferencing Equipment IP Multimedia Conferencing Equipment SCS
21. Conferencing Equipment Audio Conference Facility Device SCS
22. Conferencing Equipment Multi Line Telephone System SCS
23. Optical Fibre Cable Hybrid Cable - Optical and Metallic SCS
24. Optical Fibre Cable Optical Fibre Cable - ADSS on Aerial alignment SCS
25. Optical Fibre Cable Optical Fibre Cable - ADSS over Power line SCS
26. Optical Fibre Cable Optical Fibre Cable - Direct Buried SCS
27. Optical Fibre Cable Optical Fibre Cable – DSA SCS
28. Optical Fibre Cable Optical Fibre Cable – Duct SCS
29. Optical Fibre Cable Optical Fibre Cable - In home SCS
30. Optical Fibre Cable Optical Fibre Cable – Indoor SCS
31 Optical Fibre Cable Optical Fibre Cable - Indoor or Outdoor SCS
32. Optical Fibre Cable Optical Fibre Cable - Lashed Aerial SCS
33. Optical Fibre Cable Optical Fibre Cable - Micro -Duct SCS
34. Optical Fibre Cable Optical Fibre Cable – Outdoor SCS
35. Optical Fibre Cable Optical Fibre Cable – Riser SCS
36. Optical Fibre Cable Optical Groung Wire -OPGW SCS
37. Optical Fibre - Single Mode Optical Fibre - G.652.D GCS
38. Optical Fibre - Single Mode Optical Fibre - G.655 GCS
39. Optical Fibre - Single Mode Optical Fibre - G.656 GCS
40. Optical Fibre - Single Mode Optical Fibre - G.657.A1 GCS
41. Optical Fibre - Single Mode Optical Fibre - G.657.A2 GCS
42. Optical Fibre - Single Mode Optical Fibre - G.657.B3 GCS
43. Optical Fibre - Single Mode Optical Fibre - G.654.D GCS
44. Optical Fibre - Single Mode Optical Fibre -G.654.E GCS
45. HF Radio HF Base Station - Baseband plus Radio GCS
46. HF Radio HF Base Station - Radio Only GCS
47. HF Radio HF Baseband Equipment without Radio GCS
48. HF Radio HF Fixed Station GCS
49. HF Radio HF Handheld Portable Stations CGS
50. HF Radio HF Mobile Stations GCS
51. Session Border Controller Session Border Controller SCS
52. Mobile Radio Trunking System MRTS Base Station - Baseband plus Radio GCS
53. Mobile Radio Trunking System MRTS Base Station - Radio Only GCS
54. Mobile Radio Trunking System MRTS Baseband Equipment without Radio GCS
55. Mobile Radio Trunking System MRTS Fixed Station GCS
56. Mobile Radio Trunking System MRTS Handheld Portable Station GCS
57. Mobile Radio Trunking System MRTS Mobile Station GCS
58. VHF UHF Radio System Equipment VHF UHF Base Station - Baseband plus Radio GCS
59. VHF UHF Radio System Equipment VHF UHF Base Station - Radio Only GCS
60. VHF UHF Radio System Equipment VHF UHF Baseband Equipment without Radio GCS
61. VHF UHF Radio System Equipment VHF UHF Fixed Station GCS
62. VHF UHF Radio System Equipment VHF UHF Handheld Portable Stations GCS
63. VHF UHF Radio System Equipment VHF UHF Mobile Stations GCS
64. PTP PMP Microwave Fixed Radio Systems PTP or PMP Full Outdoor Microwave Systems GCS
65. PTP PMP Microwave Fixed Radio Systems PTP or PMP Split MW Indoor Unit GCS
66. PTP PMP Microwave Fixed Radio Systems PTP or PMP Split MW Outdoor Unit GCS
67. DSL Equipments DSL NT Modem SCS
68. DSL Equipments DSLAM COT SCS
69. DSL Equipments OMSAN SCS
70. Satellite Communication Equipment Satellite Amplifier GCS
71. Satellite Communication Equipment Satellite Baseband Mod or Demod or Controller GCS
72. Satellite Communication Equipment Satellite Baseband Modem GCS
73. Satellite Communication Equipment Satellite Baseband Modem Controller GCS
74. Satellite Communication Equipment Satellite BUC GCS
75. Satellite Communication Equipment Satellite IF Transreceiver GCS
76. Satellite Communication Equipment Satellite LNA GCS
77. Satellite Communication Equipment Satellite LNB GCS
78. Satellite Communication Equipment Satellite Optimisation Equipment GCS
79. Satellite Communication Equipment Satellite Radio Frequency Transceiver GCS
80. Satellite Communication Equipment VSAT Terminals GCS
81. Precision Timing Protocol Grand Master Equipment Precision Timing Protocol Grand Master Equipment GCS
82. Mobile Management Entity MME for 2G or 3G or 4G SCS
83. Mobile Management Entity MME for LTE only SCS
84. Cell Broadcast Centre CBC for GSM SCS
85. Cell Broadcast Centre CBC for LTE or LTE - A SCS
86. Cell Broadcast Centre CBC For UMTS SCS
87. BSC RNC BSC for GSM GCS
88. BSC RNC RNC for WCDMA GCS
89. SMLC or eSMLC eSMLC for LTE SCS
90. SMLC or eSMLC SMLC for GSM SCS
91. SMLC or eSMLC SMLC for WCDMA SCS
92. SGSN or GGSN GGSN SCS
93. SGSN or GGSN SGSN For GSM SCS
94. SGSN or GGSN SGSN For LTE SCS
95. SGSN or GGSN SGSN For WCDMA SCS
96. HLR AUC HSS HLR or AUC SCS
97. HLR AUC HSS HSS SCS
98. MSC or MSC -S or GMSC or GMSC -S including VLR MSC -S or GMSC - S SCS
99. MSC or MSC -S or GMSC or GMSC -S including VLR MSC or GMSC including VLR for GSM SCS
100. MSC or MSC -S or GMSC or GMSC -S including VLR MSC or GMSC including VLR for WCDMA SCS
101. OTA and DM or FOTA DM or FOTA SCS
102. OTA and DM or FOTA OTA SCS
103. SCP SCP SCS
104. OMC or EMS or NMS or OSS NMS SCS
105. OMC or EMS or NMS or OSS OMC or EMS SCS
106. S -GW or P -GW P -Gateway GCS
107. S -GW or P -GW S -Gateway GCS
108. SMSC SMSC SCS
109. GMLC GMLC for GSM or WCDMA SCS
110. GMLC GMLC for LTE or LTE - A SCS
111. EIR EIR for GSM or WCDMA SCS
112. EIR EIR for LTE SCS
113. SIM CSIM GCS
114. SIM eSIM GCS
115. SIM eUICC GCS
116. SIM RUIM GCS
117. SIM SIM GCS
118. SIM UICC based ISIM GCS
119. SIM USIM GCS
120. Radio Broadcast Receiver RBR All Motor vehicle RBRs requiring external power SCS
121. Radio Broadcast Receiver RBR Radio Broadcast receivers driven with in -built power source. SCS
122. Radio Broadcast Receiver RBR Other devices having radio broadcast receivers interfaces. SCS
123. Transmission Terminal Equipment - 2 DWDM Equipment GCS
124. Transmission Terminal Equipment - 2 Digital Cross Connect GCS
125. Base Station for Cellular Network for 5G Base Station 5G NR Type 1C GCS
126. Base Station for Cellular Network for 5G Base Station 5G NR Type 1O GCS
127. Base Station for Cellular Network for 5G Active Antenna System -OTA GCS
128. Base Station for Cellular Network for 5G BTS with Multi Standard Radio GCS
129. Base Station for Cellular Network for 5G Base Station 5G NR Type 1H GCS
130. Base Station for Cellular Network for 5G Base Station 5G NR Type 2O GCS
131. Base Station for Cellular Network for 5G Hybrid Active Antenna System GCS
PRODUCTS COVERED UNDER Phase V of MTCTE: 

Check the complete list of products covered by MTCTE in different Phases with the Mandatory date of certification of product under MTCTE Click Here

Exempted Product List

The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) under the Department of Telecommunication has issued a notification on 08/01/2024, announcing the exemption of certain products from the mandatory TEC Certification list. A broad exemption from submitting test reports for specified test parameters/interfaces related to various Essential Requirements (ERs) under MTCTE has been extended until June 30, 2024, or until further notice. Check the exempted products list, Click Here

Wire Telephone Equipment

Wire Telephone Equipment

Private Automobile Branch Exchange

Private Automobile Branch Exchange

G3 Fax Machine

G3 Fax Machine

Cordless TelephoneCordless Telephone
ISDN Customer Premises EquipmentISDN Customer Premises Equipment
ModemModem

REQUIREMENTS

  1. Authorized Signatory from Authorized Indian Company.
  2. In case of Foreign OEM: Foreign OEM needs to appoint an Indian Company to act as Representative for the MTCTE certification procedure. MoU between foreign OEM and Indian Representative.
  3. In the case of Indian Manufacturer: Manufacturer based in India needs to provide their legal documents for the registration on the portal.
  4. Product with Valid Test report from Indian labs approved by TEC.
  5. Brand / Trademark Details.
  6. Company Registration.

How to Get TEC Certification in India?

Process of TEC Certification: Mandatory Testing & Certification of Telecommunication Equipments

  1. Online portal generation on MTCTE portal: Applicant needs to register on MTCTE portal for login credentials.
  2. Application submission with all relevant documents: The applicant may register online and fill all information and upload relevant documents on the MTCTE portal. The documents cannot be changed once they have been submitted.
  3. Scrutiny of application: TEC will evaluate the documents, and any document deficiencies will be communicated to the applicant. After correcting any deficiencies, the applicant's registration will be accepted; after that, the applicant will be able to submit applications for testing/certification.
  4. Application submission for testing/certification: Applicant must select the product to be certified, its variant details, and information about available interfaces and accompanying models, if appropriate, and upload the BoM and datasheet of equipment to the portal. Applicant must also submit the manufacturing location(s) of the Telecom / ICT Equipment under certification and contact information for the location.
  5. Payment of fee: After application submission, the applicant will be shown the applicable certification scheme, ER, and fee payable. Applicant must pay the testing fee.
  6. Testing of product: Applicant can select CAB as per his choice on MTCTE portal's testing section. Telecom/ICT equipment must be tested in a designated or recognized Conformity Assessment Bodies (CAB) of an MRA partner country.
  7. Submission of test report: Applicant must get his product tested at CAB and upload test report. The applicant must submit a summary of the test reports together with the test results, upload the test reports, and accept an online undertaking about the correctness of the uploaded documents/reports.
  8. Scrutiny of test report: The submitted test results will be reviewed, and a certificate will be granted if the equipment is found to be compliant.
  9. Grant of certificate: TEC grant certificate if they are satisfied with all test reports and equipment per specified standard.

DOCUMENT REQUIRED FOR MANDATORY TESTING & CERTIFICATION OF TELECOMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT

  1. Company Registration document
  2. Authorization Letter issued by the company (Indian OEM and AIR in case of Foreign OEM) authorizing for MTCTE related responsibilities.
  3. Either Director or CS duly signs the company's Articles of Association (AoA).
  4. The company's Memorandum of Association (MoA) duly signed by either Director or Company Secretary as per the norms.
  5. The company's latest available Shareholding pattern indicates the board of members/shareholders.
  6. MoU between foreign OEM and Indian representative (AIR) for sale and support of the product in India, and
  7. Authorizing the AIR for discharging MTCTE related responsibilities.

Note: Authorized Indian representative looking for TEC Certificate Apply should follow TEC procedure for the Mandatory Testing and Certification for Telecom Equipment.

Timeline

Certification procedure may take 60 Days. It may be vary depending on product category, test required and so on.

TEC Registration Certificate Cost for Equipment

To obtain a TEC Certificate for different equipment, you can easily get TEC Certificate by paying the fee.

Group of Equipment Administrative Fee Test Report Evaluation Fee
A INR 10,000/- INR 50,000/-
B INR 20,000/- INR 1,00,000/-
C INR 30,000/- INR 2,00,000/-
D INR 50,000/- INR 4,00,000/-

Guideline for MTCTE

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HOW ALEPH INDIA CAN HELP YOU TO GET A TEC CERTIFICATE?

If you're a manufacturer seeking TEC Certification service to obtain TEC Registration for your telecom product, Aleph INDIA, a leading TEC Certification consultant, is here to assist you. Since 2013, we've been offering comprehensive solutions for product certification to manufacturers in India and abroad.

Our expertise extends to a variety of products, including telecom equipment, and we specialize in helping you navigate the TEC Certification process. With our guidance and support, you can ensure that your telecom product meets all the required standards and receives the necessary TEC Certificate.

Aleph INDIA's services go beyond TEC Registration service. We also provide a wide range of technical and regulatory compliance services, including product testing, technical training, and auditing, all aimed at helping industries achieve higher productivity and maintain quality standards.

Trust Aleph INDIA to be your partner in applying for the TEC Certificate for your telecom product, ensuring it meets the necessary quality and safety criteria for the Indian market.

frequently asked questions (FAQ)

    TEC is a telecommunication Engineering Centre that develops the standards for the telecommunication sector for the safety of end-user.

    TEC Certification is like a mark of approval for telecom products, ensuring they are good quality and safe to use in India. This certification process checks that these products meet the specific standards required, ensuring that people in India can rely on high-quality and safe telecom equipment.

    1. Field evaluation of products and Systems
    2. National Fundamental Plans
    3. Support to DoT on technology issues
    4. Testing & Certification of Telecom products

    BoM means Bill of Material, and is a file containing details of all major modules/ components of the model being offered for testing. In case of an application for certification of multiple models, the BoM shall include such details of all models.

    Designated Conformance Assessment Body' or 'Conformance Assessment Body (CAB)' means a test laboratory designated by TEC for testing of telecom equipment against specified Essential Requirements.

    1. Safety of end-user
    2. that any telecom equipment linked to an existing network does not harm its performance
    3. By ensuring that radio frequency emissions from equipment do not exceed authorized levels, users and the general public is protected.
    1. Entire paper work related to the Certification.
    2. Liaison with TEC authority which includes detailed Application preparation, submission, replying to time to time queries providing clarifications.
    3. Sending pre-registration request and documentation.
    4. Testing of Telecom Equipment from TEC Designated labs.
    5. Online submission of Documents.
    6. Online submission of Fee.
    7. Hard Copy Submission of all docs to TEC authority.
    8. Multiple visits to TEC authority, Agreement Documents signing.
    9. Time to time miscellaneous/incidental works throughout the certificate granting process.
    10. Complete solution for TEC-MTCTE realted queries with the help of highly experienced professional team.

    Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) is an Indian Authority responsible for the Certification of Telecommunication Equipments. TEC Certification is mandatory to manufacture, import or sell Telecom equipments in India. Any Manufacturer or Importer of Telecommunication Equipments must obtain a TEC Certificate from TEC India, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India.

    A TEC Certificate Number is an unique ID obtained after the certification which can be used on the equipments to assure the consumers that the product follows the necessary specifications.

    The cost of TEC Registration includes Testing fees, Professional Charges, Government Charges, and so on. To know more about the TEC registration fee, Contact us at +91 9990136656.

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