On February 4, 2024, the Director General of Israel's Ministry of Communications (MoC) sent a directive letter to cellular companies requesting information on their readiness to implement eSIM services in Israel. As a mechanism that allows seamless switching between providers, eSIM helps to solve reception issues encountered during emergencies or military operations. This initiative is in line with the government's goal of improving public services and marks an important step forward in improving the accessibility of communications across the country. The MoC plans to take steps in the near future to force businesses to provide this service, urging businesses to address any potential barriers to implementation immediately.

Click on this link to view the original announcement of the Israeli Ministry of Communications.

On February 3, 2024, GCF released GCF-CC 3.92.0. The changes in the test bands are as follows:

• Deleted frequency bands: FDD25_RX4, CA_25A-25A, CA_46C-66A, CA_25A-25A_RX4;
• New frequency bands: 4G frequency bands CA_1A-18A+1A-18A, CA_1A-26A+1A-26A, CA_1A-28A+1A-28A, CA_19A-42C, CA_1A-42C, CA_3A-42C, CA_1A-3A-42A, CA_3A-41A-42A, CA_3A-41C, CA_19A-21A-42C, CA_1A-3A-19A-42A, CA_ 1A-19A-21A-42A, CA_1A-41A-42C, CA_1A-41C-42C, CA_41C-42C, CA_3A-41C_RX4, CA_3A-41A-42A_RX4; 5G bands DC_3A_n258I, DC_1A_n258I, CA_UL_n41C.

GCF-CC 3.92.0 will be effective from February 3, 2024, will be mandatory since May 15, 2024 (when GCF-CC 3.91.0 expires) and valid until August 12, 2024.

On February 2, 2024, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) of the United Arab Emirates published the standard TS FS 004 V1.0  Advanced Mobile Positioning (AML). AML is a positioning technology for mobile phones when making emergency calls, and has been included in the CE marking of emergency location related tests since March 17, 2022. The scope of application of the TS FS 004 technical standard issued by the UAE is consistent with CE certification and only applies to mobile phones, and the reference technical standards are also consistent with CE certification, which are ETSI TS 103 625 and ETSI TS 103 825, respectively. The mandatory implementation date of TS FS 004 is March 1, 2024.

Click this link to view the original TS FS 004 V1.0 link.

On 1 February 2024, the Malaysian Institute of Quasi-Industrial Research (SIRIM) issued an announcement numbered SQASI/CMCS/1/24/0001 reminding users that according to the updated Service Tax Guidelines (Garis Panduan Cukai Perkhidmatan), the tax rate for SIRIM-related services will be adjusted from the original 6% to 8% with effect from 1 March 2024.

Click this link to view the original SQASI/CMCS/1/24/0001 announcement.

Due to the controversial comments received by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in the previous public consultation, the ACMA's application of the Upper 6 GHz (6425MHz-7125 MHz) frequency band has been put on hold pending the outcome of discussions at ITU WRC-23. In December 2023, WRC-23 formed a resolution on the allocation of the 6 GHz frequency band: Region 1 (Europe, Africa, The Russian Federation and the Arab States Region) allocated the entire 6425-7125 MHz band for IMT, some countries in Region 2 (the Americas) allocated the entire 6425-7125 MHz band for IMT, and in Region 3 (Asia-Pacific region) allocated the entire 7025-7125 MHz band for IMT, and on this basis, some countries in Region 3 allocated the entire 6425-7025 MHz band for IMT.

Australia's ACMA plans to discuss the 6 GHz band adjustment plan in a virtual format on 29 February, and will explore potential planning options for the 6 GHz band (6425–7125 MHz) for possible wireless local area network (RLAN) and/or IMT wireless broadband use. ACMA will also explore the applicability of Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) to expand the use of RLANs and examine related technical and regulatory issues.

Click link to view ACMA's meeting notice and participation requirements.

On January 31, 2024, the  EU cybersecurity certification scheme on Common Criteria (EUCC), drafted by the European Cybersecurity Agency (ENISA), has been adopted by the European Commission as the first certification scheme within the EU Cybersecurity Certification Framework. The certification program will apply to all ICT products. While the implementation of the certification scheme is part of EU law, this cybersecurity certification framework is voluntary. The EUCC will eventually replace the previous national certification scheme established under the SOG-IS protocol. The certification program has been approved and will be published in the Official Journal (OJ) one year after the date of publication.

Click this link to view ENISA's press release regarding EUCC, click this link to view the original EUCC regulation.

On December 22, 2023, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a proposed rule numbered FCC 23-114, which was published on the Federal Register website on January 29, 2024. The proposal proposes to modify the unwanted emission limits for the 24 GHz band to better protect passive sensors in the 23.6-24 GHz band for weather forecasting and scientific research, and to allow for more commercial flexibility in the use of the 24 GHz band (specifically the 24.25-24.45 GHz and 24.75-25.25 GHz bands). For end equipment operating at 24.25–24.45 GHz or 24.75–25.25 GHz, the proposed amendment to Part 30 would limit the total spurious emissions in any 200 MHz bandwidth in the 23.6-24 GHz band to no more than -29 dBW (1 dBm), which will be further tightened to -35 dBW (-5 dBm) after September 1, 2027.

Click this link to check the original proposed rule and the public consultation is open until Feb. 28 2024.

On January 25, 2024, CNCA released the Announcement No. 3 of 2024 on the official website of , which reads as follows:

Decided to adjust the testing method standards of the conformity assessment system for the restricted use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products from GB/T 26125 "Determination of Six Restricted Substances (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyls and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers)" to GB/T 39560.1, GB/T 39560.2, GB/T 39560.301 and GB/T 39560.4, GB/T 39560.5, GB/T 39560.6, GB/T 39560.701, GB/T 39560.702, a total of 8 series of standards for the determination of certain substances in electrical and electronic products (hereinafter referred to as GB/T 39560 series standards). The relevant requirements are hereby announced as follows:

1. From March 1, 2024, the testing methods for carrying out conformity assessment activities for the restriction of the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products shall be implemented in accordance with the GB/T 39560 series standards.

2. Before March 1, 2024, if the conformity assessment is completed in accordance with GB/T 26125, the standard conversion shall be completed by means of natural transition such as expiration renewal and product change.

3. Before March 1, 2024, products that have been shipped and imported do not need to be converted to standards.

On January 24, 2024, the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) announced that new legislation would be introduced to allow electronic labels. Some of the regulations affected by this announcement include:

• Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulation 2016/1091
• Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016/1101
• Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016/1105
• Radio Equipment Regulations 2017/1206
• Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016/1092
• Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011/1881
• Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012 ("RoHS Regulations").

Click this link to view the original DBT press release and the full list of affected regulations.

On 22 January 2024, the United Kingdom's Communications Authority (Ofcom) published a guide with advice on how Internet of Things (IoT) and third-party equipment vendors can respond to network change. Vodafone, Three, and EE are expected to shut down their 3G networks by the end of 2024, and VMO2 is expected to shut down in 2025. There are no specific plans for mobile network operators in the UK to announce a shutdown of the 2G network after the 3G shutdown, but this will be done by 2033 at the latest, and possibly as early as 2028. All 2G and 3G devices will need to be upgraded to at least 4G at that time.

Click this link is the original Ofcom guide.