TEC Essential Requirements (ER)
As part of the latest amendments made to the Indian Telegraph Act, 1970 (Amendment 2017), all telecom equipment must undergo mandatory testing and certification prior to sale or import for use in India. The Dept. of Telecommunications (DoT) of Ministry of Communications has entrusted its technical wing Telecommunication Engineering Center (TEC) with formulating specifications and procedures related to testing and certification under the Mandatory Testing & Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) scheme.
As part of the specifications, TEC has formulated Essential Requirements (ERs) for 40 different product categories including Routers, Switches, Access Points, Mobile Phones, IoT devices among others. The ERs consist of requirements such as Technical Requirements (Protocols and Interfaces), EMI/EMC, Safety, and Other requirements. Security requirements are also being formulated by DoT and will be added for every product category.
CNLABS Lab Scope and Expertise
CNLABS is a TEC designated Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) for MTCTE certification across various equipment categories:
- Core Networking: Designated for Routers, Switches, IP Security Equipment, and PON.
- IPv6 Excellence: As a globally approved IPv6 Ready Logo lab with ISO17025 NABL accreditation, we support IPv6 testing as prescribed in TEC ERs.
- Full Lifecycle Support: We cover technical requirements for Phase-1, Phase-2, and Phase-3 products, partnering with specialized labs for EMI/EMC and Safety testing to provide a complete OEM solution.
MTCTE Scope Summary
| Category | Test Requirements Covered |
|---|---|
| Technical Requirements | Conformance (IPv6, Routing, TCP/UDP), Functional (SNMP, STP), and Interface testing. |
| Other Requirements | Functional tests for PON and Mobile Handsets (IMEI, GPS, Panic button). |
| EMI / EMC & Safety | Supported through designated partner labs. |
| Security | Planned for inclusion once finalized by DoT. |
Application Process
Applications for MTCTE certification must be submitted via the official MTCTE portal. Commercial terms are established between the lab and the OEM or certification partner. For consultation regarding the application process or technical queries, OEMs can reach us directly.