Mandatory Testing & Certification

of
Telecommunication Equipment
(MTCTE)

Mahabir Parshad Singhal,

Sr. Deputy Director General, TEC
 Telecom Engineering Center
 TEC is the Technical Arm of DoT.
 TEC represent the interests of Govt. of India in the
telecom sector both within and outside the country.
 TEC extends supports to DOT, TRAI & other
Government organisations in the technical matters
related to Digital Communications.
 TEC is responsible for drawing up of Specifications
and Standards for telecom products, services &
networks, to be deployed in Indian Telecom Network.
 TEC is an ISO 9001:2008 certified body.
 TEC - Major Activities …..
ISO 9001 : 2008

• Formulation of Technical specifications (GR/IR/SR/ERs) &

Standards
• Testing and Certification of telecom equipment and interfaces.
• TEC is the designated authority for Mandatory Testing &
Certification (MTCTE)
• Technology approval of C-DoT & other equipment.

• Recognition of Conformance Assessment Bodies (CAB)

• Participate and contribute in the standardization process by
international organisations, viz. ITU, APT, etc.
• NWGs are coordinated by TEC
• Adoption of TSDSI standards as National Standards.
24 January 2020 3
 Testing & Certification :
ISO 9001 : 2008

TEC tests and certifies telecom products in the

following categories:-

 Equipment
 Type Approval (against GR)
 Certificate of Approval
 Connectivity
 Interface Approval(against IR)
 Technology
 Technology Approval (for C-DoT &
others )

24 January 2020 4
 Process of formulation of Specifications and
ISO 9001 : 2008
Standards
•Multi-stage, consultative, transparent process

•Formulation of initial draft documents by TEC, based on

International standards, field requirements / Indian Environment

•Discussions in Sub-Development Coordination Committee (Sub-

DCC)

•Discussions in Manufacturers’ Forum

•Discussions in Development Coordination Committee (DCC),

comprising top technical representatives of stakeholders

•Finalization of documents

24 January 2020
5
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules,
2017

 As per Gazette Notification of dated 5-05.09.2017, It was decided by DoT,

Govt of India that all the telecom products being inducted in Indian
market shall undergo mandatory testing and certification for which TEC
is the Designated Agency.
 Indian Telegraph Rules, 2017 were notified by inserting Rule 528 to 537.

Part XI : TESTING AND CERTIFICATION OF TELEGRAPH

 529. Mandatory Testing- Any telegraph which is used or
capable of being used with any telegraph established,
maintained or worked under the licence granted by the
Central Government in accordance with the provisions of
section 4 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, shall have to
undergo prior mandatory testing and certification in respect of
parameters as determined by the telegraph authority from
time to time
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules,
2017
 530. Authority for testing- (1) The testing shall be carried out by the
telegraph authority or any other agency designated by the telegraph
authority.
 Indigenous products - OEM to be responsible. (R.531)
 Imported equipment - foreign OEM or importer to be responsible. (R.532,
R.533)
 Once certified, dealer/distributer need not apply for fresh certification.
(R.534)
 Only certified telegraph to be sold. (R.535)
 Removal of uncertified telegraph. (R. 536)
 (R.537)
 Notice for Contravention and notices violation of license
 Action as per license conditions
 Taking custody and to destroy the telegraph
 About MTCTE
Certification mandatory from 1.10.2018, of ALL telecom equipment, prior to sale/ import/
use.

Exemptions for Equipment meant for

 R&D
 Demonstration
 Sample for testing
 Personally accompanied on inward foreign travel, for personal use.

 MTCTE also does not cover:

 Modules / Spares/ Components/ SKD/ CKD.
 Test Instruments.
 Hobby Assembling.
 Passive Telecom Components e.g. Tower, Antenna, Waveguide, smart cards, Cables
 Power supply/ UPS/ Solar equipment / Batteries.

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 Certification Objectives

Safety of users and Security of the network

 Protection by ensuring radio frequency emissions
within prescribed limits
 Non-degradation of performance of existing network
when connected
 Complies with relevant technical regulations
 Security of network
 Quality and reliability of equipment is not to be
tested/ certified under the Scheme
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Some Global Certification
Regimes
CE Certification of European Union
FCC Certification of USA
ACMA Certification of Australia
IMDA Certification of Singapore
ICASA Certification of South Africa
CCC Certification of China
Certification of JAPAN (Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and
Communications)

KC Certification: South Korea

GOST R Certification: Russia
NCC Certification: Taiwan
 Salient features of MTCTE

 Certification once for one model, applicable for any

quantity, valid for 5 years
 Conformance to Essential Requirements (ERs)
prescribed by TEC, the Designated Authority
 Test reports from Indian designated Labs of TEC
or from accredited labs of MRA partner countries
 As an exemption, test reports from any accredited
lab (ILAC) accepted till 31st march 2019.
 Tested as manufactured / imported, and not as
used / configured at site.
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 Features to be Tested

 Equipment are to be tested for the Standards:

• EMI/ EMC requirements
• Safety requirements
• Technical requirements
• Other requirements (SAR, IPV6, Panic button….)
• Security requirements

 All requirements as per international standards, with minimal

variation to meet national requirements.

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 Action points under MTCTE

 Preparation of Essential Requirements on :

 EMI/EMC
 Safety
 Technical Requirements
 Other Requirements (SAR, IPV6, ROHS, Panic Button, support
of Indian Language etc.)
 Security (To be prepared by Security Wing of DoT)
 Online portal Development
 Designation of Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs)
 MTCTE Help-Desk
 Surveillance Mechanism

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Preparation of Essential Requirements

Essential Requirements (ERs)

 ERs for about 40 products to be prepared.

 ERs have been prepared through industry consultative

process of Mandatory Testing Consultative Forum
(MaTCoF)

 Security Requirements to be given by DoT security

Wing. Till that time ERs are without security
requirements.

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 Electromagnetic Compatibility
EMC is defined as the ability of devices and systems to operate
in their electromagnetic environment without impairing their
functions and without faults and vice versa.

EMC ensures that operation does not influence

the electromagnetic environment to the extent
that the functions of other devices and systems
are adversely affected

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Elements of EMC

Emissions: Susceptibility & immunity:

• The EMI emissions refer to the • The susceptibility of an item of
generation of unwanted electronics to EMI is the way it
electromagnetic energy. These reacts to unwanted
need to be reduced below certain electromagnetic energy. The aim
acceptable limits to ensure these of the design of the circuit is to
do not cause any disruption to ensure a sufficiently high level of
other equipment. immunity to these unwanted
signals.

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Common Electromagnetic Phenomena in
Telecom Environment

 Conducted and Radiated Disturbances Generation and

Effect
 Electrostatic Discharge
 Surge
 Fast Transients/Bursts
 Voltage dips/Interruptions

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TEC EMC Standard
• Electromagnetic Compatibility Standard
for Telecommunication Equipment (No.:
TEC/SD/DD/EMC-221/05/OCT-16)

Covers both Emission and Immunity Standards for EMC.

Based on IEC and CISPR standards.
Defines test levels and basic test conditions for each test as
applicable in Indian scenario.

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Emission Standards

CISPR 22 CISPR 11
(for equipment) (for Testing Instruments)

Conducted Conducted
Disturbances Disturbances
Radiated Radiated
Disturbances Disturbances
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Immunity Standards
IEC 61000-4-2 • Electrostatic discharge immunity test

• Radiated, radio-frequency,
• IEC 61000-4-3
electromagnetic field immunity test
• Electrical fast transient / burst
• IEC 61000-4-4
immunity test

• IEC 61000-4-5 • Surge immunity test

• Immunity to conducted disturbances,

• IEC 61000-4-6 induced by radio-frequency fields
• Voltage dips, short interruptions and
• IEC 61000-4-11
voltage variations immunity tests
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 Performance Criteria Definition

Performance Criteria A
◦ EUT shall establish the communication link at the start of test & shall maintain it
during & after the test.
Performance Criteria B
◦ EUT shall establish the communication link at the start of the test & shall maintain it
after the test. During the test, minor deviation/ degradation in performance is
acceptable which ceases after the disturbance ceases and from which EUT recovers to
its normal performance without operator intervention.
Performance Criteria C
◦ EUT shall establish the communication link at the start of the test. During the test,
temporary loss of communication link or degradation of performance and correction
by operator after the test are acceptable. But after operator intervention, EUT shall
re-establish communication link as intended
Performance Criteria D
◦ Loss of function or degradation of performance which is not recoverable owing to
damage to hardware or software or loss of data .

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Performance Criteria for Immunity
Tests
Phenomena Reference Performance Criteria
Document
Electrostatic IEC 61000-4-2 Performance Criteria B
discharge
Immunity to IEC 61000-4-3 Performance Criteria A
RF Electromagnetic field
(80 MHz-6GHz)

Fast transients / burst IEC 61000-4-4 Performance Criteria B

Surge Immunity, under Line IEC 61000-4-5 Performance Criteria B

to earth coupling (common IEC 61000-4-5 Performance Criteria C
mode) & line to line
coupling (differential mode)

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 Contd..
Immunity to conducted IEC 61000-4-6 Performance Criteria A
disturbances induced by
(0.15-80MHz) RF fields.
Voltages Dips and IEC 61000-4- Performance Criteria B for Reduction of Supply 30%
interruptions 11 for 500ms or Dip to reduction of 60% for 100ms

Performance Criteria C for Reduction of 60% for

200ms

Performance criteria C for Voltage Interruption>95%

for 5 s
(Note: In case of Battery back-up performance criteria
A is applicable).

Performance Criteria B for Voltage Interruption >95%

duration :10ms
Note: In case of Battery back-up Performance criteria
A is applicable for above conditions.

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 Products List

1. DSL 16. Mobile Handset 27. Equipment operating in 2.4

2. GPON 17. Wire Telephone Equipment Ghz and 5 Ghz frequency bands.
3. IPv4 Router 18. Conferencing Equipment 28. IP Terminal
4. IPv6 Router 19. Cordless Telephone 29. Media Gateway
5. MPLS Router 20. Fax Machine 30. Signalling Gateway.
6. Environmental 21. Modem 31. Session Border Controller
Monitoring Device 22. Point of Sale Devices. 32. Softswitch
7. Feedback Device 23. Mobile Radio Trunking 33. ISDN Customer Premises
8. IoT Gateway. System (MRTS) Equipment
9. Smart Electricity Meter 24. Equipment used in Satellite 34. Private Automatic Branch
10. Smart Security Camera Communication Devices. Exchange (PABX)
11. Smart Watch 25. Equipment used for point to 35. Application Server
12. Tracking Device point, point to multipoint 36. Media Server
13. Repeaters Microwave Fixed Links in Fixed 37. Digital Cross Connect.
14. BTS Radio Systems. 38. DWDM Equipment
15. Compact Cellular 26. Equipment used in VHF/UHF 39. Multiplexing Equipment
Network Radio Systems. 40. SDH Equipment.

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Presently excluded Equipments
from ERs

 Communication modules.
 Set Top Box (presently under CRS)
 IoT devices connected through gateway.
 COTS Servers / Desktop/ Laptop
 Core equipments: Under control of TSP. Can be got
certified on broad radiation/ safety/ security
objectives through license, followed by network
security audit.

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 Designation of CABs

o Total Designated Conformance Assessment Bodies

(CABs) – 30 Nos.
o NABL accreditation is must
[Government Owned CABs – 05 Nos. IIT Madras,
Sameer Lab, ERTL (2), ETDC]
Safety - 25 Nos.
EMI / EMC – 09 Nos.
SAR - 02 Nos.
Others - 09 Nos.
o Additional Applications under process – 30 Nos.

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 Development of ONLINE portal

 Development of web portal enabling end-to-end

online processing (https://mtcte.tec.gov.in )

 First phase of Portal incorporating Simplified

Certification Scheme (SCS) launched on
15.11.2018.

 Release of balance modules and features in

second phase.

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 Consultation and Help desk

Consultation and Help desk:

Extensive Consultation for preparation of ERs done.

 Multi - Stake-holders Conferences held on:

North Zone – in August, 2018
West Zone – 28th August, 2018 (Mumbai)
South Zone – 18th September, 2018 (Bengaluru)
Eastern Zone – 04 October, 2018

 Clarifications and FAQs being put up on TEC website.

Compendium is being prepared.

 MTCTE Help-desk has been set-up in TEC.

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 RELATED DEVELOPMENTS

 Removal of Mobile Handsets and POS Terminals from

BIS list – Case has been taken up with MEITY.
 Modalities of testing of mobile handsets, chargers,
batteries and tablets is being worked out with MEITY.
More cases of duplicity exist. (e.g. Smart Meter, Media
Server, telephone Application Server)
 TEC has been made TBT Enquiry point and has started
receiving queries/ information.
 Formation of NABT (National Accreditation Board for
Telecom), which is necessary as large number of telecom
labs to be accredited, has been started in DoT.

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 Surveillance of MTCTE

• Telegraph Authority / Appropriate Authority (AA) reserves the

right to inspect and/or test any telegraph, which requires
mandatory certification at any time and at any premises including
sites where it is in use or at the place of manufacturing to ensure
that the telegraph used/sold has required certifications and/or
conforms to the Essential Requirements of existing certifications.
Such inspection and/or testing may arise either at the discretion of
Telegraph Authority/Appropriate Authority or due to any
complaint.

• Broadly surveillance ensures that uncertified products are not

sold/ used.

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 Surveillance of MTCTE (Contd…)

• In case of Contravention:

(a) AA will issue a notice of violation inter-alia ordering to stop the

sale/use of the uncertified equipment with immediate effect.

b) Such telegraph will be required to undergo the mandatory

certification within 180 days from the date of issue of notice of
violation.

c) telegraph authority will charge 10 times of the prescribed fee

and after observing the procedures as specified may issue the
Certificate.

d) In case certification is not obtained for such telegraph within

stipulated timeframe, AA may order to take custody of all such
telegraph and may also order to destroy the telegraph.

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Surveillance of MTCTE (Contd…)

 A Committee consisting of Senior officers has been constituted which is

working out detailed procedure for surveillance.
 Three broad approaches of surveillance -
A. Information from users regarding violation.
 Complaint Handling mechanism
B. Self-alertness –.
 Inspection by LSA units - Periodicity
 Power to Inspect / Search
C. Report from TSP on equipment models connected to their
network and performing check with available database of certified
equipment.
 Compliance statement from TSP’s on the lines of
EMI/EMC compliance.
 Report about new additions of equipment to the network.

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 Surveillance of MTCTE –
e-Commerce Portals

 E-Commerce websites (Amazon, Flipkart etc) - Apps also

to sell only TEC certified products.

To ensure that only certified product sell through these

sites.
If asked for, e-commerce site should be able to produce
the certificate.
Intimation to e-commerce sites to comply to MTCTE
requirement.

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 Surveillance of MTCTE –
Other Aspects

• Sample checking of Reports self-declaration of Conformity

(SDoC) for SCS category.
• Labs designated by TEC to discharge testing function under
Telegraph Rules also subject to surveillance.
• Database of failure frequency of certified equipment, recording
reasons - poor product quality or poor quality of testing by Lab.
• List of critical / risky equipments like SIM Box etc to be prepared
and watched.
• Factory Premises Inspection (FPI) and Foreign Manufacturers
Registration Scheme (FMRS) may be considered for future as per
requirement (inline with BIS scheme).

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 Surveillance of MTCTE -
Creating Awareness

Public awareness necessary

• Inclusion of “I shall use only MTCTE certified
equipment.” in CAF and other customer interaction
forms.
• Publicity through electronic modes like SMS or dial
tone announcement mechanism.
• TSPs may be requested for displaying MTCTE
requirement on their forms etc.

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Thanks

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