TEC Certification (MTCTE) for Telecom Equipment
Guidance on mandatory testing and certification so your telecom products can be sold and imported legally.
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TEC certification is the approval issued by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) scheme. It applies to manufacturers and importers of telecom products that appear on the notified list, such as certain routers, switches, CCTV and IoT gateways, among other categories. Notified equipment must be tested at a TEC-designated laboratory against essential requirements, after which a certificate of approval is issued before the product can be sold or imported for use in Indian networks. Our team helps you identify whether your product is covered, organise testing and file the registration and certification application.
Who provides this service: our team of Company Secretaries and compliance specialists.
Who Needs TEC Certification (MTCTE)?
- Manufacturers of routers, switches, gateways and similar telecom products
- Importers who bring notified telecom equipment into India
- Brands that sell connected devices through online marketplaces
- Overseas manufacturers appointing an Indian distributor or representative
- Start-ups launching a new IoT or networking device in the Indian market
Key Benefits
- Product-by-product check to confirm whether your equipment falls under a notified MTCTE category
- Help in matching your product to the correct essential requirements and test standards
- Coordination with TEC-designated laboratories for sample submission and test reports
- Registration and certificate application prepared against the portal checklist
- Guidance for overseas manufacturers on appointing an Indian representative where required
- Support in aligning TEC approval with other approvals such as wireless and safety requirements
How It Works
Applicability check
We compare your product description, technical specifications and intended use against the equipment categories notified under MTCTE and the current phase of implementation, then confirm whether certification is mandatory.
Portal registration
The manufacturer or importer creates an account on the TEC certification portal. We prepare the company, authorisation and product details needed for registration so approvals are not held up by data errors.
Test plan and sample submission
We identify the applicable essential requirements, shortlist a suitable designated laboratory and help you prepare the sample, technical documentation and declarations for testing.
Laboratory testing
The laboratory tests the product against the notified requirements. If a test fails, we review the report with your engineers so corrective changes can be made before retesting.
Certificate application
With a passing test report in hand, we file the certification application, upload the report and supporting documents and respond to queries raised by TEC officials.
Post-certificate follow-up
We guide you on displaying certification details, keeping records for each model and variant, and filing fresh applications when the product design or model changes materially.
Documents Required
- Company registration certificate and GST registration of the applicant
- Authorisation letter of the signatory filing the application
- Importer-exporter code for importers of notified equipment
- Technical specification sheet and user manual of the product
- Block diagram, circuit description and bill of materials where requested
- Test report from a TEC-designated laboratory
- Authorisation from the overseas manufacturer in favour of the Indian applicant
- Photographs of the product and its labelling
Timeline and Fees
Indicative timeline: Typically several weeks to a few months; the pace depends on laboratory scheduling, test results and TEC processing.
Professional fee: Our fee depends on the number of products and variants, how many test cycles are needed and whether registration support is included. Laboratory testing charges and government fees are payable separately and differ by category, so we confirm them before you begin.
What Can Go Wrong if This Is Missed or Done Incorrectly
- Selling or importing notified equipment without certification can result in seizure, import hold-ups or action under telecom regulations
- Customs clearance may be delayed if a valid approval cannot be shown for notified goods
- A failed test report means redesign and retesting, which adds both cost and time to the launch
- Selling a modified model under an old certificate can invalidate the approval for that product
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MTCTE and who needs it?
MTCTE stands for Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment, a scheme run by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre. Manufacturers and importers of equipment on the notified list must get products tested and certified before sale or import. Products not on the list are outside the scheme for now, but the list expands in phases.
Which products are covered by TEC certification?
Coverage is defined by notified categories, which have been added in stages and include a range of network, access and IoT-related devices. Because the list changes, the only reliable check is the current notification on the TEC portal. Our team verifies your exact model against it.
Where is the product tested?
Testing must be carried out at laboratories designated by TEC for the relevant product category. Not every laboratory is designated for every category, so we shortlist labs on the basis of your equipment type, their current scope of designation and their availability.
Can a foreign manufacturer apply directly?
A foreign manufacturer generally has to work through an authorised Indian representative or an Indian importer who files the application and remains accountable in India. The exact authorisation format is set by TEC, which we help you prepare and align with your supply agreement.
Is TEC certificate the same as BIS or WPC approval?
No. TEC certification covers telecom equipment compliance, while BIS registration deals with product safety for notified electronics and the wireless planning wing handles radio equipment authorisation. A single product may need more than one of these, so we map every applicable approval together.
Official Sources
Rules, forms and fees change. Check the current position on the official portal:
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Last reviewed: . Laws, fees and procedures change; check the official portal before you act.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional legal, tax or compliance advice. Requirements vary by situation. Please consult a qualified CA or CS for advice specific to your needs. Government fees and timelines are subject to change; verify with the relevant authority before proceeding.