TEC/MTCTE APPROVAL (TYPES, REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESS)

In the early 2000s, the telecom industry began to rapidly innovate technology, bringing about a huge change in the way people connect with each other. From voice and data communications to high speed video and audio capabilities, this sector is vital in modern society and is divided into three main aspects: wireless communications, telecom services, and telecom equipment.

The telecom journey began with the invention of the telegraph around the 1830s as this device enabled people to connect with each other across the globe. As technology progressed, there was a simultaneous demand for high quality and standardized infrastructure. To meet this demand, the Indian government established the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) in 1991, whose job is to develop technical standards for telecom networks that are efficient, world-class, robust, and interoperable, ensuring seamless communication across the globe.

To control the quality of telecom equipment coming into India, TEC introduced the MTCTE (Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment) scheme. This requires all telecom product manufacturers and importers to have a TEC certificate. Provided the equipment passes the required tests, they are given a unique TEC registration number that becomes the brand identification of their product, marking compliance with national standards and ensuring customers that it is safe, authentic and genuine.

TEC is short for Telecommunication Engineering Centre. TEC provides the necessary support to the Government of India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in planning and formulating various standards and policies for the safe and secure use of developing technologies in telecommunications. TEC India has defined quality benchmarks for telecom equipment. The benchmarks are classified as Generic Requirements (GRs), Interface Requirements (IRs), and Service Requirements (SR).

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.

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:

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.

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.

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).

MTCTE MANDATORY TEC CERTIFICATION PROCESS

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.

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.

MTCTE MANDATORY TEC CERTIFICATION PROCESS

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

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

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

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.

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.

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?

• If you're a manufacturer looking for TEC Certification service for your telecom product, Aleph INDIA is here to help. Since 2013, we've been providing comprehensive certification solutions in India and abroad.
• We specialize in telecom equipment and guide you through the TEC Certification process to ensure your product meets all required standards.
• Aleph INDIA offers more than TEC Registration services. We also provide technical and regulatory compliance services, including product testing, training, and auditing, to help industries achieve higher productivity and quality standards.
• 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.