The Indian Telegraph Amendment Rules, 2017 to Take Effect in October of 2018

The Ministry of Communications of India has announced changes to their Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) rules, in a document called The Indian Telegraph Amendment Rules, 2017. The new regulations require any Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), importer, or dealer who wishes to sell, import, or use any telecom equipment in India to obtain a certificate from Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) and mark or affix the equipment with the appropriate certification label. The new rules, initially announced in September of 2017, will take full effect in October of 2018. 

What’s Changed The Indian Telegraph Amendment Rules, 2017?

The new rules are not entirely new, but an amendment to the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951, Part XI, titled Testing and Certification of Telegraph. The change further defines the framework for implementation and mandatory testing for certification. The new certification process is meant to promote the following government-mandated protections further:

• that any telecom equipment does not degrade the performance of the existing network when connected;
• safety of the end–users;
• to protect users and the general public by ensuring that radio frequency emissions from equipment do not exceed prescribed standards;
• that telecom equipment complies with the relevant national and international regulatory standards and requirements.

Among the changes to the certification process is a Simplified Certification Scheme (SCS) meant to streamline the certification process for manufacturers who have undergone testing in a designated CAB or recognized CAB of MRA partner country. There are also changes to the General Certification Scheme (GCS), defined in section 7 of the amendment.

What are the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951?

The Indian Department of Telecommunications was created in the late 19th century to oversee the deployment of the first telegraphs in the country. Rules surrounding the import and implementation of telecommunications technology were governed by the 1885 Telegraph Act, which is still the core of the department’s functions. In 1951, the department saw a sharp increase in the number of foreign manufacturers looking to enter the Indian market. Thus, they passed the Telegraph Rules, 1951, which were an amendment to the Telegraph Act. 

The Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951 defined the original process of certification for foreign and domestic manufacturers of telecom equipment. The goal of the new rules was to protect Indian consumers and to ensure such equipment would not disrupt the national telecommunications infrastructure. A new entity called the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) was created to manage the certification process, as well as ensure that prior testing of communications hardware had been done according to the government’s specifications.

What products are covered by the new rules?

The amendment defines an exhaustive list of products covered under the new rules, sorted by their application to either the SCS or GCS processes. They are:

SCS equipment list:

• Point of Sales(POS) terminal with PSTN/CDMA/ GSM/GPRS interface
• SMS Phone for PSTN
• CLIP Phone
• Charge Indicator for PCO operation
• V.92 Modem
• NSD/ISD Payphone
• Cordless Telephone
• Coin Box Telephone
• Terminals for connecting to PSTN
• Executive Telephone System
• Conference Facility Device
• V.90 Modem
• Key Telephone Systems
• Extension Line Jack Unit (ELJU)
• Voice Band Data Modem (V.21 to V.34)
• Subscriber Service Unit for Calling Line Identification Presentation (SSU for CLIP)
• Electronic Telephone Instrument
• 2-Line Feature Phone
• Group 3 FAX Machine/Card

GCS equipment list:

• ADSL2+ for Central Office and remote office applications
• SET TOP BOX for FTTH
• Remote Access Server (RAS)
• IP Media Gateway
• Customer Premises Equipment for MPLS Network
• Routers
• ATM Access Equipment Connecting to DTS ATM Network
• High-Speed Line Drivers.
• Frame Relay Access service.
• LAN Switch
• Set Top Box for Content Delivery Services in IP Network
• Firewall System
• SIP TERMINAL
• Multi-Line Telephone System
• ISDN Customer Premises Equipment Interface Requirements
• ISDN Network Termination (NT1)
• Radio Modem in ISM Band
• Wi-Fi Access Point
• Wi-Fi CPE
• Mobile Radio Trunking Communication Equipment
• Mobile Radio Trunking Subscriber Equipment
• Mobile Station/Handset-based on GSM / GPRS /
• Telecommunication Engineering Centre Page 17
• EGPRS
• User equipment/Handset-based on WCDMA/HSPA
• Mobile Station/Handset-based on CDMA 2000
• IR on 3 G Data Card
• IR on CDMA Data Card
• CDMA 2000 1x Remote Stations
• Any other item not listed in Table I or II

iCertifi’s Role in the Amendment Changes

iCertifi is actively involved in industry groups across the globe, including India, and participates in the comments and clarifications processes. The Director-General of Telecom Certifications reached out following the implementation of the new amendment to say, “thank you for your participation in the consultative process while framing the scheme and appreciate your endeavor for providing valuable inputs for the formulation of procedure for Mandatory Testing & Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE). Some of the important inputs received from your organization during the consultative process have already been incorporated in MTCTE procedure.”

As a contributor to the new rules, we are especially well positioned to help manufacturers navigate the new rules and certification process, as well as manage the type approval and labeling process. To learn more about our services and how we can help your company navigate the changes, call us at (541) 275-5020.