8 months ago
India to Tighten IP Terminal Standards
India is going to make new rules for devices that use the internet for calls and videos.
These rules will make sure the devices are safe and work well.
The government wants to help Indian companies make these devices instead of buying them from other countries.
The new rules will be announced soon, and other countries can give their opinions before that.
This might make it harder for foreign companies to sell their devices in India, but it could also help Indian companies grow.
India is introducing new essential requirements (ER) and technical standards for IP terminals under the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC).
The updated standards will be rolled out in the next 60 days, with WTO members able to submit comments by 9 February.
The revision aims to strengthen interoperability, cybersecurity, and quality assurance for telecom equipment in India.
The new standards will affect makers and importers of SIP phones, video-conference terminals, IP desk phones, and other internet-calling devices.
The move is expected to raise compliance costs for foreign manufacturers in the short term but may benefit domestic telecom-equipment firms in the long run.
- Who
- Indian government through the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC)
- What
- Introduction of new essential requirements (ER) and technical standards for IP terminals
- Where
- India
- When
- Next 60 days
- Why
- To tighten testing and compliance for telecom equipment, strengthen interoperability, cybersecurity, and quality assurance, and support domestic manufacturing
Key facts
- Effective Date
- Next 60 days
- Government Body
- Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC)
- Impacted Devices
- SIP terminals, video-conference terminals, IP desk phones, internet-calling devices
- Compliance Scheme
- Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE)
- WTO Comment Deadline
- 9 February
- Telecom Sector Revenue (FY25)
- $43.42 billion
- 5G Market Growth (2025-2035)
- 45% CAGR
- Total Tele-density (June 2025)
- 86.09%
Quotes
Sneh Shah
Whole time director, Aimtron Electronics, an electronics system design and manufacturing company
“The revision of essential requirements for IP terminals is expected to strengthen the technical rigour and credibility of telecom products manufactured in India. While OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and EMS (electronics manufacturing services) partners may need to adjust their testing protocols and compliance workflows, these changes will ultimately elevate product quality and market confidence.”
livemint.com
“We see this as an opportunity to lead through preparedness. With our in-house radio frequency (RF) testing, firmware loading, and telecommunication-grade printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) capabilities, we are well positioned to support our partners in meeting the updated Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) standards swiftly and effectively.”
livemint.com
R.K. Bhatnagar
Director general, Voice of Indian Commtech Enterprises (VOICE), an industry body
“The move opens a swadeshi opportunity, as domestic telecom-equipment firms building IP phones and unified-communication hardware may gain an advantage when compliance becomes uniform for all players, reducing the price gap with low-cost imports and encouraging more local manufacturing under the Make in India programme.”
livemint.com
“Most of India’s enterprise-grade IP terminals—used in IT/ITES centres, banks, call centres and government offices—are imported, and stricter testing under MTCTE could raise compliance costs for foreign manufacturers and slow shipments in the short term.”
livemint.com
