On October 24, 2024, India's National Communications Security Centre (NCCS) published amendments to the Wi-Fi CPE ITSAR. Wi-Fi CPE ITSAR has been revised to accommodate the technical changes that split the Wi-Fi CPE into legacy configurations and Wi-Fi CPE components hosted in the cloud.

Click on this link to view the original NCCS revision announcement.

On October 21, 2024, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) of Vietnam issued a public consultation on the proposed revision of Circular No. 08/2021/TT-BTTTTT. The Circular updates the specification for license-exempt radio equipment, and the proposed amendments will add the 5925 – 6425 MHz band to wireless local area networks (WLAN/RLAN).

The proposed revisions also outline power and spurious emission limits for Wi-Fi indoor and outdoor use in the band 5925 – 6425 MHz to prevent interference with existing licensed systems. The power limit for indoor use is 200 mW EIRP, while the power limit for outdoor use is 25 mW EIRP. These restrictions are often used in other countries to protect existing systems.

Click on this link to view the original public consultation, and the comment period is until 21 December 2024. The circular is expected to enter into force by the end of February 2025.

On September 10, 2024, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the application process for certification bodies for the IoT CyberTrust Mark Program, with a deadline of October 1, 2024. The FCC then posted an update on the Federal Register website on October 21, 2024. This update includes:

• The Cybersecurity Label Administator (CLA) shall share the relevant costs incurred by the leading CLA in performing the relevant duties; Lead the certification body to develop a cost expenditure plan and report to the FCC;
• The CLA shall develop a cybersecurity risk management plan.

Click this link to view the FCC's announcement numbered FR ID 250049 posted on the Federal Release website.

On October 18, 2024, the FCC issued a report and order numbered FCC 24-112, following the release of FCC 23-106 by the FCC on January 26, 2024, regarding the 100% compliance of handsets with HAC requirements. The regulation requires all mobile phones to be compatible with hearing aids, requiring 100% of mobile phones to support acoustic coupling; 100% of mobile phones are required to support inductive coupling or Bluetooth coupling, of which the inductive coupling ratio is not less than 85%, and the Bluetooth coupling ratio is not less than 15%. The regulations put forward specific requirements for manufacturers/service providers to maintain mobile phone HAC certification information (including FCC ID, corresponding ANSI standards, etc.) on their websites. The regulations also update the content of the FORM855.

The regulation is not currently available on the Federal Register website and will normally go into effect 30 days after publication on Federal Register.

Click this link to view document FCC 24-112.

1) On 17 October 2024, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) launched a public consultation on the "Revised Scheme for Re-establishing the LCD (Licensing Conditions Determination) Specification for Fixed Band Licences and the Arrangement for the Use of the 3.4–4 GHz Frequency Band" until 15 November 2024. Click on the link to view the original consultation.

2) On October 21, 2024, the ACMA launched a public consultation on the "Proposal for the Redevelopment of TLN and Eight Telecommunication Standards" until December 20, 2024. The public consultation includes key criteria such as AS/CA S004 audio performance requirements. Click on the link to view the original public consultation.

On 11 October 2024, Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) of Canada published RSS-248 Issue 3 Release 3 – Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) Equipment Operating in the 5925-7125 MHz Band to replace Release 2 on 20 December 2022.

The main changes in this update are as follows:

• A new device category has been added: Very Low Power Devices
• Definitions, power limits, and operational requirements have been added for new equipment categories
• Appropriate editorial changes and clarifications have been made

Click on this link to access the original ISED regulations.

On October 10, 2024, the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism of Chile published Act No. 21695, which provides for universal chargers for all kinds of mobile phones and IT devices. Under this new law, mobile device sellers are required to provide consumers with chargers that can be purchased separately, rather than having to be purchased together. In addition, the seller must inform the consumer whether the mobile device is included with the charger when purchasing it. The act has a 2-year grace period for mobile phones and a 4-year grace period for other mobile devices.

Click this link to view the original text of Act 21695.

On October 10, 2024, the European Union passed the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) to strengthen the cybersecurity of connected devices. The Cyber Resilience Act sets out mandatory security requirements for digital products manufactured, imported, or sold within the EU, ensuring that these devices remain consistent throughout their lifecycle.

Key points of the bill:

• Security requirements: Manufacturers must ensure that their products comply with cybersecurity standards and remain secure throughout their lifecycle;
• CE marking: Connected products must bear the CE mark, proving that they meet cybersecurity standards;
• Reporting requirements: Vulnerabilities and cyber incidents must be reported within 24 hours; and submit a detailed report to the European Cybersecurity Agency (ENISA) within 72 hours;
• Updates and support: Manufacturers are obligated to provide free security updates for the expected life of the product.

The Cyber Resilience Act will be implemented from December 11, 2027, while reporting requirements will apply from September 11, 2026.

Click this link to view the original CRA Act passed on October 10, 2024, click this link to check out the EU's press releaseof this approval.

On October 8, 2024, the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Azerbaijan announced that the "Conditions for the Use of the 5945-6425 MHz Radio Band by Wireless Access Systems (WAS), including Wireless Local Area Networks (RLANs)" have been approved. These conditions are based on ECC Decision (20) 01 of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administration (CEPT).

Click this link to view the original ICTA announcement.

On October 7, 2024, the National Telecommunications Agency of Brazil (ANATEL) published Act No.14430, updating the certification requirements of Act No.3151/2020 for access terminal stations and mobile cellular phones.

The act stipulates that from April 6, 2025, only mobile phones and access terminals equipped with at least 4G or higher technology will be certified. The new standard allows for the certification of devices with 2G and 3G technologies, provided they also include 4G or higher capabilities. The main objective of these new requirements is to ensure that ANATEL-approved devices remain compatible with the latest networks (4G and 5G). The measure is designed to protect users of telecommunications services and products from potential losses by preventing disruptions when operators phase out 2G and 3G networks.

Click on this link to view the original regulation.