Overview of MTCTE Compliance Measures

In accordance with the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017, it is implied that all Telcom equipment has to compulsorily undergo mandatory Testing and Certification prior to commencement of any business, i.e., selling, importing, or being utilised in India. This Regulation was introduced and regulated under the Scheme of Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telcom Equipment, also known as the MTCTE Certificate. The MTCTE Certification covers fifty-five types of various telecom products, along with their associated variants.

The Testing to be conducted for the purpose of ensuring conformity along with compliance maintenance of the essential requirements of the applicable telecom equipment is to be carried out in Telecommunication Engineering Centres, also known as (TEC). The MTCTE Certificates are issued by the TEC, which is solely based on the Test Reports.

Objectives of MTCTE Compliance

The essential objectives of the maintenance of MTCTE Compliance are stated as follows -

• There is no degradation in the performance level of the Telecom Equipment, especially of any existing network to which the product is connected with.
• For the purpose of providing safety to the End-Users.
• For the purpose of protecting the users and public by ensuring that the radiofrequency emissions exposed from the telecom equipment are not to exceed the prescribed standards.
• The set relevant National and International Regulatory Standards and Requirements are being complied with.

Type of Certificates Schemes under MTCTE Compliance

There are two types of Certification Schemes provided under the authorisation of the MTCTE Compliance, mentioned as follows:

• The General Certification Scheme
• The Simplified Certification Scheme

General Certification Scheme

Under the General Certification Scheme, also known as GCS, the applicant is directed to submit a “Test Wise Compliance”, which basically is a summary sheet to be provided along with the test report, to be drafted in accordance with the parameters set in the Essential Requirements, also known as (ERs), under the authorisation of any designated CAB, which is short for Conformity Assessment Bodies, or any recognised CAB  of the applicable MRA Partner Country, which is short for Mutual Recognition Arrangement Partner Country. The Test Result generated is to be evaluated as per the compliance measures of the appropriate ERs.

 

Simplified Certification Scheme

Under the Simplified Certification Scheme, which is also known as SCS, the applicant is required to test the product and submit the “Test Wise Compliance Sheet” in accordance with the parameters set in the Essential Requirements, along with the Self-Declaration of Conformity (SDoC). Apart from this exception of the test report, which is not mandated to be submitted by the applicant, and which is evaluated by the TEC, all other rules and procedures are to be deemed applicable in the case of SCS, in accordance with GCS. However, the TEC reserves the right to demand a Copy of the Test Report if deemed necessary.

List of Products Covered under MTCTE Compliance

The following list of products is covered under the MTCTE Compliance:

Legal Technical Regulations of MTCTE Compliance

In accordance with the Essential Requirements (ERs), the Legally Obligated Technical Regulations to be maintained for MTCTE Compliance are stated as follows -

• Safety;
• Electromagnetic Interference (EI), which is also known as EMI, Electromagnetic Compatibility, which is also known as EMC;
• Technical Requirements with the inclusion of wireless or Radio Frequency, which is also known as RF;
• Security - which is to be notified by the Department of Telecommunication, which is also known as (DoT);
• Other Requirements, which are to be notified by the DoT;

Documents Needed for Obtaining Certification under MTCTE Compliance

The following vital documents are required to apply for the issuance of MTCTE Certification or TEC Certification under MTCTE Compliance Measures -

• Proof of Company Registration
• Letter of Authorisation from the applicant Company granting the MTCTE Work Requirements
• For Foreign Companies, the Letter of Authorisation is to be issued by an Authorised Indian Representative and the Indian OEM granting the MTCTE Work Requirements
• Signed Copy by the Director and Company Secretary of the MoA and the AoA
• Latest Report of the Company’s Shareholding Structure
• MoU signed between the Foreign OEM and the AIR
• Proof of the Grant of Authorisation to the AIR for sale and support of the telecom product in India
• Proof of the Grant of Authorisation to the AIR for discharging MTCTE Work Requirements

Procedure for Obtaining Certification under MTCTE Compliance

The following steps state the procedure for the issuance of MTCTE Certification as per the MTCTE Compliance Measures -

• The duly filled application, along with the vital documents required, needs to be submitted.
• The TEC is to conduct an evaluation of the documents submitted.
• The product is to be then tested in a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB).
• The applicant needs to submit the location details of the Telecom Towers.
• The applicant is then directed to pay the required fees as prescribed by the TEC.
• The TEC then conducts a scrutinised evaluation of the test reports, documents, and application submitted.
• If all the documentation is found to be in the order of the compliance measures, then the Certification is granted.