November Regulatory Update

Nov 01, 2024

Telecommunications

Brazil: ANATEL started not to allow the renewal of certificates expired for more than 180 days

2024-10-21
Resolution No. 715, of October 23, 2019 stipulated that. However, ANATEL was allowing the renewal of certificates expired for more than 180 days.
Resolution No. 715, of October 23, 2019 established in Article 52, section V, that one of the cases for the suspension of the Certificate of Conformity is that “there is no periodic maintenance of the product certification under the conditions established in this Regulation, for a period exceeding 180 (one hundred and eighty) days or until the maintenance is determined, whichever occurs first” (section V)."
Until recently, ANATEL was allowing the renewal of certificates even when that condition was not being met. Now, ANATEL will apply the regulation strictly.
Related links
Resolution No​. 715, of October 23, 2019

Brazil: Requirements for certification of Access Terminal Station - ETA (Act No. 3151/2020) and Mobile Cellular Phone (Act No. 3151/2020) updated

2024-10-22
As of April 6, 2025, new 2G or 3G equipment must also be compatible with 4G technologies or higher, so only cell phones and access terminal stations compatible with more modern technologies may be certified.
Anatel, through the Superintendence of Granting and Provision Resources (SOR), published on October 8, 2024, Act No. 14430, of October 07, 2024, which updates the requirements for certification of Access Terminal Station - ETA (Act No. 3151/2020) and Mobile Cellular Phone (Act No. 3151/2020).
The changes promoted by Act No. 14430/2024 establish that, as of April 6, 2025, only cell phones and access terminal stations that have at least 4G technology or higher may be certified. The new requirements allow the certification of equipment with 2G and 3G technology, as long as they also have 4G technology or higher.
The main objective of the new requirements is to ensure that the equipment approved by the Agency is compatible with the most modern networks (4G and 5G), preventing them from ceasing to work when providers effectively deactivate 2G and 3G networks, avoiding losses to users of telecommunications services and products.
The proposal does not affect equipment already certified and used in Brazil, but aims to ensure that new equipment entering the Brazilian market has the capacity to also operate in 4G or higher technology.
The update of the requirements results from the analysis of the comments received within the scope of the Call for Grants No. 23/2023, which received contributions regarding possible actions to be taken by the Agency and the different actors in the telecommunications sector to accelerate the transition from 2G and 3G to 4G and 5G technologies, and the contributions collected during Public Consultation No. 36/2024.
It is important to clarify changes promoted by Act No. 14430/2024 do not indicate the shutdown of 2G and 3G networks. These technological transition actions will be defined by the Personal Mobile Service providers and will occur with the monitoring of Anatel to avoid losses to service consumers and the sector.
The transition from Second Generation (2G) and Third Generation (3G) technologies to more advanced technological standards, such as Fourth Generation (4G) and Fifth Generation (5G), is a necessary step to meet the demands of new applications and business models, in favor of the country's digital transformation and in a way that directly benefits consumers, the various economic sectors and industry.
Related links
Act No​. 14430, of October 07, 2024
Anatel news on requirement of compatibility of cell phones and access terminal stations with more modern technologies

India: Acceptance date of ILAC test reports of certain products under MTCTE extended until December 2024

2024-10-18
The corresponding notice was published on September 27, 2024. It affects base stations for cellular network (up to 4G), SIM, VHF UHF radio equipment system, base station for cellular network for 5G, e-band fixed radio relay systems and hypervisor.
In partial modification to this office Notification No. 5-2/2024-TC/TEC dated 01.07.2024 w.r.t. acceptance of the test reports issued by labs accredited by International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) signatories; it is hereby informed that ILAC test reports* from non-border sharing countries are acceptable till 31.12.2024 for the technical parameters of following products notified under MTCTE:
1. Base Station for Cellular Network (up to 4G) - Phase IIIThe
2. SIM - Phase IV
3. VHF UHF Radio Equipment System - Phase IV
4. Base Station for Cellular Network for 5G - Phase V
5. E-band Fixed Radio Relay Systems V
6. Hypervisor - Phase V
The test reports issued by ILAC signatories (other than border sharing countries) should not be older than two years on the date of submission on MTCTE Portal.

Nigeria: Type Approval radio equipment regulations and Business Rules 2024 approved

2024-10-22
The regulations entered into force on July 29, 2024. The Business Rules were published in August, 2024.
In August 2024, The Nigerian Communications Commission published the Business Rules (testing and labelling) for Radio Type Approval, pursuant to the Type Approval Regulations 2024, which entered into force on July 29, 2024.
The Business Rules describe the procedures and requirements for obtaining type approval, managing compliance, and ensuring that equipment meets the necessary standards before being used or supplied in the country. The scope includes any entity or individual involved in manufacturing, importing, distributing, or modifying electronic communications equipment in Nigeria. This applies to equipment like mobile phones, satellite equipment, wireless devices, and other telecommunications gear that requires regulatory approval for use or sale.
• Applicants must submit a type approval application with the appropriate documentation, including a Declaration of Conformity, test results, and fees.
• Equipment must be tested in accredited laboratories recognized by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and any modifications must undergo additional approval.
• Approved equipment must bear a type approval label or e-label if applicable.
• Applicants must maintain comprehensive records, such as technical descriptions, test results, and compliance certifications, for at least five years.
• Manufacturers or suppliers must provide a Declaration of Conformity, ensuring that the equipment meets the specified standards.
• All approved equipment must be registered with the NCC’s Device Management System (DMS), which monitors device access to mobile networks.

Oman: Ultra-Wide Band Technology draft regulation published

2024-10-18
It was published in October and the consultation period finished on September 2, 2024.
On August 6, 2024, the Oman Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) published a Draft Regulation on Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technologies. The objective is to review Decision no. 88/2013 “The Organizing Regulation of the Ultra-Wide Band Technology” to ensure protection of existing applications and services.
Devices using Ultra-wideband technology (UWB) shall be subject to the following conditions:
1- UWB devices shall not cause interference to other licensed radiocommunication devices and shall not claim protection from interference caused by other radiocommunication services.
2- UWB devices shall be capable of implementing mitigation techniques to provide additional protection to radiocommunications services as required in (Annex A&B) attached to this Regulation.
3- UWB devices shall not be constructed with any external or readily accessible control which permits the adjustment of its operation in a manner that is inconsistent with this Regulation.
4- UWB devices shall be marked with the supplier/manufacturer’s name or identification mark, and the supplier/manufacturer’s model or type reference. The markings shall be legible, indelible and readily visible and cannot be easily removed.
5- UWB devices shall also meet technical requirement and other requirements mentioned in (Annex A&B) attached to this Regulation.
6- All devices mentioned in Annex (A) shall comply with the most recent version of harmonized European Standard EN 302 065 and EN 302 500-1.
7- UWB devices for Ground Penetration Radars (GPR) / Wall Penetration Radars (WPR) imaging systems shall comply with the most recent version of EN 302 066.
8- The UWB transmitter for contact-based sensors and imaging devices should be switched on only when in direct contact with the material under investigation.
9- The UWB transmitter for non-contact-based sensor and imaging devices should be switched on only when in close proximity with the investigated material and the UWB transmitter is directed into the direction of the material under investigation (e.g. manually, by using a proximity sensor or by mechanical design).
All UWB devices may not be manufactured, imported or sold except after obtaining type approval from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. All companies and establishments dealing in such devices are obligated to adhere to regulations issued by TRA in this regard.
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) and Wall penetrating radar (WPR) shall only be used after obtaining a radio license in accordance with the TRA regulatory framework, and the licensee shall abide by any restrictions imposed by TRA on the device use.
Users of Licensed UWB systems may not transfer them to other qualified users and to different locations except after obtaining the approval of the TRA.
Related links

Oman: User Manual of Type Approval System for Telecommunication devices published

2024-10-18
It outlines the processes for obtaining type approval for telecommunications equipment and devices from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in Oman through its online system.
The "Type Approval System User Manual" outlines the processes for obtaining type approval for telecommunications equipment and devices from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in Oman.
It includes step-by-step instructions for businesses or individuals on how to use the system for sign-ups, type approval certificate requests, import authorization, and the customs release process. The document applies to businesses or individuals involved in importing or distributing telecommunications equipment. It covers both commercial and non-commercial products, as well as accessories.
1. Type Approval Certification: Importers or manufacturers need to request type approval for their equipment, detailing manufacturer information, equipment specifications, and required attachments.
2. Compliance Processes: The document includes instructions on how to submit requests, make payments, and track approval status within the TRA system.
3. Manufacturer Obligations: Companies must provide accurate equipment details and comply with TRA’s standards, particularly for items such as equipment with encryption, IVMS, or satellite functions.
4. Renewal: Type approval certificates are valid for four years and can be renewed within one month of the expiry date.
For the detail information,