On June 2, 2025, the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), under the Department of Telecommunications (DTE), issued new guidelines aimed at facilitating the provisional certification of certain telecommunications equipment that presents highly specialized testing requirements under the mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunications Equipment (MTCTE) scheme. This measure responds to the need to simplify the regulatory process for high-performance devices operating under unusual electrical and power configurations.

Regarding testing requirements, the TEC stipulates that all safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMI/EMC) parameters must be supported by reports from ILAC-accredited laboratories, except for those located in countries with which India shares land borders. For technical parameters, the applicant has two options: submit test reports also from ILAC laboratories (from non-bordering countries) or issue a Self-Declaration of Conformity (SDOC) from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). In the latter case, the technical parameters will be marked as "Exempt" and the equipment will receive a provisional certification valid for two years.

Additionally, it stipulates that the ILAC laboratory reports used to support the application cannot be older than two years from the date of submission on the MTCTE portal. Furthermore, the equipment's Bill of Materials (BoM) must explicitly include the power specifications: voltage, current, and power levels.

WHOM DOES THIS IMPACT?

The direct impact is on telecommunications equipment manufacturers, network infrastructure importers and providers, testing laboratories, and regulatory and certification authorities.

CONCLUSION:

The measure temporarily facilitates access to certain specialized telecommunications equipment in the Indian market, but its effect is limited in scope and duration, placing its overall regulatory impact at a high level.