On February 15, 2026, the Official Gazette of Algeria published Decree No. 26-97, approved by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on January 31, 2026, to regulate the approval procedure for electronic communication equipment in Algeria. The decree clarifies the division of responsibilities between the National Frequency Authority (ANF) and the Postal and Electronic Communications Regulatory Authority (ARPCE): the ANF is responsible for the approval of non-public radio installations, while the ARPCE is responsible for the approval of equipment intended to be connected to the public open network, and the ARPCE is responsible for equipment involved in both radio and public open networks.
Key points include:
- Approval process: The application must be submitted through a dedicated electronic platform, including administrative and technical files, and equipment samples must be submitted for testing within 5 working days. For imported equipment, you can submit a sampling application to the customs with a receipt after submitting the application, and the customs will complete the relevant process within 3 working days, and the applicant must also submit samples within 5 working days after the customs approves it;
- Processing time: The approval processing period usually does not exceed 2 months from the date of application or sample submission;
- Technical standards: equipment must comply with relevant international and national standards such as frequency utilization, electromagnetic compatibility, network protection and user security;
- Certificate validity: The compliance certificate is valid for 5 years, and the same type of equipment only needs to be approved once;
- Mandatory identification: approved equipment must be labeled with a prescribed template before entering the market;
- Exemptions: Temporary imported equipment for professional use, commercial display or scientific research is exempt from approval;
- Local representatives are still required to handle applications and samples.
Click on this link to view the original text of MPT Decree 26-97.