On July 5, 2024, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to promote the integrity and security of certification programs for telecommunications certification bodies, measurement facilities, and equipment authorization. The proposed rule is essentially the same as FCC 24-58 document issued by the FCC on May 24.

Click this link to view the original proposed rule, the comment period is valid until 3 September 2024.

On July 2, 2024, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Côte d'Ivoire (ARTCI) issued a press release announcing the recent detection of a forged telecommunications certificate. In response to this finding, ARTCI reminded stakeholders that device certification must be carried out in strict accordance with Decree No. 2013-301 issued on 2 May 2013, noting that any forgery of certificates is considered a serious violation under existing laws and regulations. ARTCI has made it clear that it will take the necessary steps to identify and hold accountable those responsible for such violations. Authenticated devices can be queried through the ARTCI official website.

Click on this link to view the original news.

On July 1, 2024, the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) of India issued a notice extending the mandatory certification date for 5 categories of products (ERs) below MTCTE Phase III, Phase IV and Phase V to October 1, 2024: Smart Meters (Phase III), Satellite Communication Equipment (Phase IV), 5G Cellular Base Stations (Phase V), Hipervisor (Phase V), IP Terminals (Phase V). In addition, the final acceptance date of test reports issued by signatories to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) for non-land-bordering countries will be extended to September 30, 2024 for 5 types of products: 4G and below base stations, 5G base stations, SIM, VHF/UHF wireless equipment and E-band fixed wireless relay systems.

Click this link to view the original announcement.

On July 1, 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) of Viet Nam issued Decision No. 1725QD-BCT on the new list of energy-saving products in Vietnam. This decision replaces Appendix 3 of Decision No. 1182/QĐ-BCT dated 20 May 2019 on the publication of the list of goods subject to MOIT for special inspection. The goods specified in the list include some ICT equipment, such as laptops, PCs, printers, computer monitors, each of which has its own energy efficiency standard and HS code:

• TCVN 11848:2017, TCVN 11848:2021 for notebook computers (including notebooks and slim notebooks) (HS code 8471.30.20);
• TCVN 13371:2021 for desktop computers (HS codes 8471.41.10, 8471.41.90);
• TCVN 9509:2012 for printers (HS codes 8443.31.11, 8443.31.19, 8443.31.21, 8443.31.29, 8443.31.31, 8443.31.39, 8443.31.91, 8443.31.99);
• TCVN 9508:2012 applies to computer monitors - liquid crystal devices (LCDs), light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and other flat panel display types (HS code 8528.72.92).

Please note that the list also includes products that must apply for type approval and DoC from the Ministry of Communications of Vietnam (MIC) and DoC (see Circular Letter MIC 02/2024/TT-BTTTT), such as desktop computers (HS code 8471.41.10) and laptops (HS code 8471.30.20), so manufacturers need to be aware of the relevant requirements for both MOIT and MIC.

Click this link to view the original text of Decision 1725QD-BCT.

On June 29, 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China) issued the Announcement of Chinese National Standards No. 14 of 2024. 109 national standards and 4 national standard modification orders were approved.

Among them, the No. 1 amendment to the China RoHS standard GB/T 26572-2011 "Limit Requirements for Restricted Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products" includes four phthalates, namely di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) and bis(2-ethyl)hexyl phthalate (DEHP), into the standard control, and the number of restricted substances in GB/T 26572-2011 has increased to ten. This requirement will be officially implemented on January 1, 2026.

On June 28, 2024, PTCRB released NAPRD03 V6.17. In terms of frequency bands, the following NR CA frequency bands were mainly added: CA_n26A-n66(2A)-n70A, CA_n66(2A)-n70A-n71A, and CA_n66A-n70A-n71(2A).

On June 26, 2024, the Board of Directors of the National Telecommunications Commission of Paraguay (CONATEL) adopted a resolution amending the National Frequency Allocation Plan (PNAF). The resolution was officially published on CONATEL's website in early July. Resolves to allocate the frequency band 3300-3700 MHz to mobile communication services. PNAF is divided into 8 sub-bands from A to H for the 3300-3700 MHz frequency band, each with 50 MHz.

Click this link to view the original resolution.

On June 25, 2024, the Tanzania TCRA updated the SRD technical specification numbered TCRA/TS015. In terms of spectrum allocation, the updated specification not only expands the SRD bands previously covered in the old documentation, but also includes allowing the use of Wi-Fi 6E in the 6 GHz band.

Click this link to view the original TCRA/TS015 specification.

On June 25, 2024, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) published RSS-210 Issue 11, License-Free Wireless Devices: Class I Devices, to replace RSS-210 Issue 10. The main changes are as follows:

• Chapter 6 has been reorganized to include normative references to ANSI C63.10 and ANSI C63.26
• A new chapter 7 has been added to clarify that ANSI C63.10 is the test method standard unless otherwise specified
• Appendix A.1.1 has been added to Appendix A for temporarily operated remote control equipment, with editorial changes to A.1.3(b) and A.1.3(d);
• B.10 in Appendix B removes the RSS-310 requirement for devices that do not require certification in the 24-24.25 GHz band;
• C.2(d) of Appendix C clarifies the spurious emission limit;
• Appendix E clarifies that test methods should be in accordance with ANSI C63.26 and clarifies the spurious requirements in E.1.8 and E.2.8;
• Appendix F clarifies the requirements for harmonic emissions;
• Appendix G adds standard specifications for Multi-Channel Wireless Audio Equipment (WMAS);
• Appendix J Devices operating in the 57-71 GHz band with significant modifications to J.3;
• Appendix K 5925-7250MHz Wireless Broadband Equipment, clarifying the operating frequency bands in K.3, spurious limits in K.4, and measurement procedures in K.5, respectively
• Some other editorial revisions.

Click this link to view the original RSS-210 Issue 11. The standard implementation date is December 25, 2024.

On 25 June 2024, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) issued a public consultation to gather input on the RSS-248 Issue 3 "Wireless Local Area Network (RLAN) Equipment Operating in the 5925-7125 MHz Band". The standard specifies the technical and operational requirements for a new category of equipment called "ultra-low-power devices" and will replace RSS-248 Issue 2.

Click this link to view the original public consultation, and the comment period ends on 6 September 2024.