On February 21, 2024, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it will vote on the plan to create cybersecurity labels for wireless consumer Internet of Things (IoT) devices at a public meeting of the FCC on March 14, 2024. The proposed plan will include a new U.S. "Cyber Trust Mark" certification and is expected to have the following key requirements:

• Marks/labels are used only if they meet the baseline network security standards;
• The label will be accompanied by a QR code that consumers can scan to get detailed information about the product's safety, such as guaranteeing the minimum support period for the product, whether there are software patches, and that security updates are automatic;
• The voluntary certification program will rely on public-private partnerships, with a third-party label management agency supervised and approved by the FCC managing activities such as evaluating product applications, authorizing the use of labels, and guiding/educating consumers;
• Compliance testing will be carried out by accredited laboratories.

Click link to view the original FCC announcement regarding the cybersecurity label vote.

On February 20, 2024, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) launched a public consultation on the Radio Standards Specification RSS-210 Issue 11 "License-exempt Radio Equipment: Class I Equipment". There are a number of important changes in this update:

• Chapter 6 has been significantly modified to clarify the general requirements and references;
• Chapter 7 has been added to clarify that the test method refers to ANSI C63.10
• Several appendices specify frequency band ranges, etc.

Click this link is for the original public consultation which is open until 3 May 2024.

On February 13, 2024, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) reminded of two new technical specifications approved and published on October 31, 2023:

• Aeronautical Radio Communication Equipment Specification MCMC MTSFB TC T020:2023;
• Maritime radiocommunication equipment specification MCMC MTSFB TC T021:2023.

For the new technical regulations, the MCMC has granted a six-month transition period until May 1, 2024.

Existing Certificates: During the transition period, applicants can renew the CoC for a period of up to 1 year. However, as of May 1, 2024, updating existing CoCs will no longer be allowed. Instead, the existing approvals for the devices concerned should be updated and in compliance with the latest technical specifications by submitting a Parallel by Comparison (PBC) application.

New Applications: Applicants are encouraged to comply with new technical specifications during the transition period. As of May 1, 2024, full compliance is mandatory.

Click link to view the original MCMC announcement.

On January 8, 2024, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued certification rules for "Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band; and Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum Between 3.7 and 24 GHz". On February 6, 2024, the FCC issued additional amendments to the rule. The amendment to 15.407(d)(6) states that "all U-NII transmitters must use CBP except for standard power access points and fixed client devices operating in the 5.925-7.125 GHz band". The fixed client device was not previously included in the above description.

Click this link to view the FCC's Notice of Amendment.

On February 5, 2024, the Ministry of Communications and Media (MIC) of Vietnam published a draft circular on the National Technical Regulations on Electromagnetic Compatibility of Land Mobile Radio Equipment and Land Trunking Radio Equipment. The relevant EMC technical regulations specified are QCVN 100:2024/BTTTT, which replaces the original QCVN 100:2015/BTTTT. The notice is expected to take effect on November 15, 2024. From April 15, 2025 to June 30, 2025, QCVN 100:2015/BTTTT or QCVN 100:2024/BTTTT can be used, and from July 1, 2025, QCVN 100:2024/BTTTT will be mandatory.

Click this link to check the draft circular, and the public consultation is open until 5 April 2024.

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.