Department of Telecommunication’s Technical Arm “TEC” (Telecommunication Engineering Centre) conducted an awareness program at ITI Complex, Begaluru on February 02, 2024 for startups/ companies in the telecommunication sector on mandatory testing and certification of telecom equipment (MTCTE), voluntary testing and certifications viz. Type Approvals, Interface approval, Certificate of approval, Technology approval and Lab designation by TEC, etc.

In this event, around 70 participants from startups/MSMEs had joined alongwith  DOT LSA officers/ ITI and CDOT.  This  is an  initiative  for  creating awareness  among startups and MSMEs about various schemes of TEC which  will greatly help to realise the vision of the Prime Minister under the Atmanirbhar Bharat. These testing and certification processes and other new initiatives like reduced cost certification, SCS certification etc for Startups and  MSMEs were explained to the participants.

The event was organized by TEC/DOT in association with ITI under the chairmanship of N Murali Krishna DDG RTEC Bengaluru.  PK Panda, Director TEC; Sunil Kumar, Director Technology, DOT; LSA officers, Ms Lata, AGM and Ms Alli Rani, DGM ITI were also present and shared the information on various facilities available in ITI for startups and MSMEs. Dr Prasanth DDG CA spoke on TEC initiatives on Test as Service Platform and importance of IPR, SEP and ESG through remote participation.

The Digital Communication Commission (DCC) on December 29 last year launched the online modules of Certificate of Approval (CoA) and Technology Approval under voluntary certification scheme of TEC.  Developed by CDOT, the modules aimed at enhancing the Ease of Doing Business and Promote Atmanirbhar Bharat.   The On-line modules for Type/Interface approval had been previously made operational w.e.f. 07.07.2023. This marked a significant step towards streamlining the testing and certification process, fostering an encouraging ecosystem for startups and MSMEs in the Telecom and related ICT sector. The startups and MSMEs can benefit by taking these certificates for their products pertaining to telecom sector for enhanced credibility of their product.

As a result, now all types of certificates under Voluntary Testing and Certification including Type Approval Certificate, Interface Approval Certificate, Certificate of Approval (CoA) and Technology Approval Certificate can be applied for and processed seamlessly through the online module.

On January 02, 2024, TEC brought 37 more products under Simplified Certification Scheme, thereby reducing the time taken for certification from eight  weeks to two  weeks.  These products include media gateway, IP security equipment, IP terminals, optical fibre or cable, transmission Terminal Equipment, etc.  Further, only administrative fee will be charged by the TEC for Essential Requirement (ER) based applications submitted under MTCTE irrespective of GCS and SCS category.  The evaluation fee has been completely waived off. This is a huge relief for the original equipment manufacturer (OEMs) or applicants as it amounts to reduction in application fee by more than 80 per cent, thereby further reducing the compliance burden.

Presently, there are 59 Telecom & Networking products which have been notified under MTCTE regime.

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DK/DK/SMP