Enregistrement TEC en Inde
Schéma MTCTE

Qu’est-ce que le TEC ?

Forme complète de TEC : Telecommunication Engineering Centre

L’évolution du secteur des télécommunications s’est réalisée de différentes manières dans le monde entier, depuis le premier service télégraphique des années 1830 jusqu’aux satellites de communication avancés et aux systèmes de réseaux sans fil actuels. Le secteur indien des télécommunications a commencé à évoluer dans les années 1990 avec la libéralisation du secteur, puis avec l’essor de l’innovation, de la participation mondiale et de la croissance rapide des infrastructures en Inde.

Avec la croissance des infrastructures de télécommunication, le besoin d’un cadre de normes et de pratiques pour la réglementation fonctionnelle et formelle de l’écosystème télécom est devenu plus important. Afin d’assurer des communications sécurisées, la confidentialité des données, la stabilité du réseau et l’interopérabilité entre les appareils, systèmes et réseaux, le ministre des Communications du gouvernement indien a créé le Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) du Department of Telecommunications (DoT), afin de mettre en place un écosystème de télécommunications sûr et fiable.

L’enregistrement TEC est un moyen important de réglementer les équipements de télécommunication en Inde. Aucun fabricant ni importateur ne peut vendre des produits de télécommunication sur le marché indien sans obtenir un certificat TEC dans le cadre du Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (schéma MTCTE) du gouvernement indien.

Ce guide complet explique et simplifie la certification TEC, l’enregistrement MTCTE, son éligibilité, les produits concernés, la procédure de demande, le coût, les délais, les exemptions, la conformité et les autres contraintes.

Le TEC protège les éléments suivants :

• Réseaux télécoms sûrs et sécurisés

• Contrôle de la qualité des équipements de télécommunication

• Respect des Essential Requirements (ERs)

• Normes mondiales

• Intérêts des consommateurs

Exemples de spécifications publiées par le TEC :

• Generic Requirements (GR)

• Interface Requirements (IR)

• Service Requirements (SR)

Ces normes techniques régissent les performances, la sécurité, la compatibilité électromagnétique et les aspects environnementaux liés aux équipements de télécommunication.

Qu’est-ce qu’un certificat TEC ?

Un certificat TEC est une approbation/autorisation accordée par le Telecommunication Engineering Centre pour les équipements de télécommunication. Un certificat TEC garantit la conformité des appareils de télécommunication aux exigences essentielles requises par le MTCTE.

Le certificat TEC est obligatoire pour :

• Fabriquer des équipements de télécommunication en Inde

• Importer des équipements de télécommunication en Inde

• Commercialiser des équipements de télécommunication sur le marché indien

Les produits de télécommunication qui ne disposent pas d’une certification TEC valide ne peuvent pas être légalement commercialisés ni utilisés en Inde. Une fois le processus d’enregistrement TEC terminé avec succès, un numéro d’enregistrement unique est généré. Ce numéro sert d’identifiant pour le produit et peut être apposé sur l’appareil comme preuve de conformité réglementaire.

What is MTCTE Certification

MTCTE refers to Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment.

As per the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017, telecom equipment has to go through mandatory testing and certification before it can be sold, imported, or used in India.

This certification scheme framework is aimed at assuring compliance of telecom equipment against the following Essential Requirements:

Essential Requirements under MTCTE:

• Safety

• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)

• Technical performance

• Environmental

• Security of the networks

The process of becoming compliant to these rules is commonly known as MTCTE certification.

What is the importance of MTCTE Registration?

The telecommunications space comprises very sensitive infrastructure, including mobile networks, the internet, satellites, and enterprise communication systems. Non-compliant or faulty equipment can result in the following situations:

Risks of non-compliant equipment:

• Disrupt Network Services

• Cause Interference

• Endanger National Security

• Cause Safety Risks

To mitigate these risks, MTCTE Registration ensures all telecom equipment within the borders of the Indian subcontinent is compliant with the standards set forth by the Indian Member of Parliament.

The Regulatory framework outlines the benefits for:

• Telecom service providers

• Consumers

• Network operators

• National infrastructure

Types of TEC Certifications

In addition to the compulsory MTCTE Registration, TEC provides optional certification, which varies according to the nature of the product and the technical regulations.

1. Type Approval

Type approval consists of the testing and certification of telecommunications equipment, according to TEC's Test Schedule & Test Procedure (TSTP), to evaluate compliance with the Generic Requirement (GR). It verifies safety, reliability, and functionality for public network use.

Testing could be done:

• At the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) location

• In specific laboratories

• At laboratories that are recognized by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) for testing on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and for safety and environmental testing.

2. Interface Approval

Interface Approval determines that the equipment meets the Interface Requirements (IR). This is usually demanded by Services Providers, Government agencies, and Authorities in charge of licensing.

Testing is done according to TEC's Test Schedule & Test Procedure (TSTP) and is mandatory in certain situations. It ensures that equipment connects correctly with existing public networks, focusing on interface compatibility.

3. Certificate of Approval (CoA)

A Certificate of Approval (CoA) is a type of certification issued for products—particularly in the telecommunications sector—when no standard Generic Requirements (GR) or Interface Requirements (IR) exist. This type of approval bases the certification on the manufacturer's own technical specifications rather than established industry standards.

4. Technology Approval

Technology Approval is granted for prototype telecommunications products approved by C-DoT or other Research and Development Organizations. This Approval validates new or emerging technologies developed by organizations like C-DoT to ensure they meet standards for implementation in networks.

Products Covered under MTCTE Scheme

A wide range of telecom equipment falls under the MTCTE certification scheme.

MTCTE Exempted Products

On January 8, 2024 the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) under the Department of Telecommunication published a Notification regarding certain products being exempted from the compulsory TEC Certification. A wide array of exemption from the submission of test reports for specific test parameters/interfaces pertaining to various Essential Requirements (ERs) under MTCTE has been granted an extension till 30th June 2024, or further notice.

Who is Required to Get MTCTE/TEC Registration?

Under the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) testing and certification are prerequisites for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), importers, and Indian authorized representatives for the sale, import, or use of certain telecom equipment in India. Mobile handsets, routers, and switches, and modems are included, and they must comply with Indian safety and performance standards.

Who needs to register:

• OEMs: Includes all telecom equipment manufacturers in India.

• Foreign Manufacturers: Foreign OEMs must get their equipment certified, usually through an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).

• Importers & Dealers: Any person importing or selling telecom equipment listed in the notification.

Basic Requirements for TEC Certification

The following must be in order to obtain a TEC Certificate:

Required for TEC Certificate:

• Authorized signatory of an Indian company

• Company registration certificate

• MoU between foreign OEM and Indian representative (if applicable)

• TEC-designated laboratory test report

• Brand and trademark registration

• Manufacturing address

For the TEC certification, proper and complete documentation is required for a successful approval.

TEC Registration Process on MTCTE Portal

Step-by-step guide to completing your TEC Registration.

To initiate the MTCTE registration process, one must create an account on an official TEC portal. Next, they must enter company and product details, upload the Bill of Materials (BoM), and pay registration fees. Products undergo testing at TEC's approved laboratories, known as CABs, and reports on EMI/EMC, safety, and performance are evaluated to determine eligibility for certification.

Steps to MTCTE Registration and Certification

MTCTE Registration Steps:

• Step 1. Portal Registration: Register on the MTCTE portal using a company email ID to create a user account. You may be asked to provide a company and manufacturing location.

• Step 2. Approval of Product & BoM: You may be required to choose the product category, product type, and product variants. Submit the Bill of Materials and product specifications for initial review.

• Step 3. Payment of Application & Fees: Complete the application, and pay the administrative and evaluation fees on the Bharat Kosh portal.

• Step 4. Testing of Products: Send product samples to a Designated Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) for ER testing.

• Step 5. Submission of Test Report: Upload to the Portal the user's test report, and other technical documentation.

• Step 6. TEC Certification and Evaluation: After review of the test reports and other documentation, if TEC finds the documentation to be compliant, a certificate that is valid for 10 years is issued to the user.

Required Documents for TEC Registration

The following are required of the applicants:

• Company registration certificate

• Authorization letter

• Memorandum of Association (MoA)

• Articles of Association (AoA)

• Shareholding pattern

• MOU between foreign OEM and AIR

• Test reports

• Product data sheet

Delays in the MTCTE Registration process will be caused by incomplete documentation.

TEC Certification Timeline

The certification process can take a maximum of 60 days which is determined by:

Factors affecting timeline:

• Complexity of the product

• Number of parameters to be tested

• Time available at the laboratory

• Completeness of documents

Most delays are attributed to insufficient documents or tests that do not meet the required standard.

TEC MTCTE Certification Benefits for Enterprises

Key advantages of obtaining TEC MTCTE Certification.

Benefits of TEC MTCTE Certification:

• Accessing Markets: Certifications legally permit firms to sell, import, and distribute telecom products within Indian borders.

• Compliance with Laws and Mitigating Risks: Certifications mean compliance with Indian Laws (EMI/EMC, safety) and mitigates the risk of bans, monetary fines, and customs hold.

• Company Image and Reputation: Certification of a Company's product will portray the product as safe and reliable which will help in building a Company's Image and Reputation.

• Edge Over Competitors: The product certification will help the company gain preference in government, B2B and operator tenders.

• Hardware Quality: Quality of the hardware will be better as the testing helps in recognizing all shortfalls.

• Modernized Networks: The public network performance will be at its peak as the equipment will not compromise its performance.

Conclusion

The telecommunications sector is the most crucial for the functioning of the entire communication system, the entire business system, and the system for protecting the nation. In order to protect the quality, safety and integrity of the networks, the Indian government strictly enforces compliance with the TEC MTCTE certification.

Based on the telecom regulations, obtaining a TEC Certificate by a TEC Registration and MTCTE Registration is not just fulfilling a compliance requirement, but also an entry strategy for businesses who want to be competitive in the telecom sector in India.

The process of documentation, testing and evaluation provides assurance that the telecom equipment is compliant with the prescribed technical standards. Thus, it applies to telecom equipment and compliance to the TEC Certification standards applies to both domestic manufacturers and foreign OEMs.

For businesses to retain their TEC Registration, compliance to the requirements for testing, documentation, and evaluation is essential. Businesses must also monitor the updates on the MTCTE Portal to facilitate this.

As India's telecom landscape is rapidly evolving, TEC Certification, along with regulatory compliance, will continue to contribute to a safe and effective communication ecosystem.