TEC Certificate
The TEC certificate is a mandate for those dealing with telecommunication equipment in India. The Department of Telecommunications i.e. DoT issues this certificate after vetting the prescribed application and supporting paperwork. The certificate signifies that the notified telecommunication equipment or product abides by the technical standards and regulations formulated by the DoT. In the article, we will take a closer look at this certificate, its eligibility criteria, scope, documents, and process.
Understanding the Scope of TEC Certificate
The TEC Certificate guarantees that the notified product or equipment featuring telecommunication capabilities aligns with the prescribed technical requirements. It also vouches for the product’s safety within the given telecom network. Stakeholders using these products in any way do not need to worry about their quality or compliance.
Eligibility Criteria for securing TEC certificate
Stakeholders including manufacturers and importers fall under this certification. They must file an application with TEC and share the supporting paperwork, including design specifications and test reports, highlighting the product’s adherence to underlying standards for safety and quality.
Products Covered under the TEC Registration
The TEC license spans an array of telecommunication equipment and products, including but not limited to:
- Test and measurement instruments (e.g., spectrum analyzers, signal generators)
- Transmission equipment (e.g., optical fibers, microwave radios)
- Networking devices (e.g., routers, switches)
- Radio communication equipment (e.g., base stations, antennas)
- Other telecom-related devices and components
- Telecom terminals (e.g., mobile phones, landline phones)
The certification process varies as per the product type, with specific testing requirements and technical standards applied to each product category.
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Types of TEC Registration: Understanding Scope and Process
TEC registration is categorized into three types, each attracting unique testing requirements.
1. TEC Type Approval:
TEC Type Approval refers to a certification spanning telecom products sold and used in India. These products must confirm their adherence to the Generic Requirement (GR) standards, formulated by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) operating under DoT.
Securing TEC type approval requires following several steps, including online form filing, submission of supporting documents (technical dossiers reflecting compliance with GR norms, test reports, design specs, etc), application vetting, and grant of certification.
Once the application is submitted, TEC conducts thorough testing of the equipment to verify its compliance with the GR standards. This testing is usually performed in accredited laboratories within India. The equipment undergoes various tests to assess its functionality, performance, and interoperability with existing telecom networks.
Product testing is an imperative part of the TEC type approval. The EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) testing is among the common tests performed on notified equipment to ensure quality in terms of interference in the electromagnetic environment. Another crucial test includes environmental testing that confirms whether the product can withstand different climatic conditions.
TEC shall thoroughly vet the dossiers and test reports to affirm compliance. Only after being satisfied, they will grant the certification. The certificate is key to kickstarting the production and marketing of notified telecom products in India.
TEC Type Approval comes with limited validity, after which the applicant must reapply for the certification and send their products for quality inspection to certified labs.
2. TEC Interface Approval:
Unlike the TEC-type approval which certifies the overall functionality and performance, the TEC Interface Approval authenticates the interfaces leveraged by the products to connect with the telecom network.
Interface Requirements (IR) standards serve as a basis for the quality framework for products falling under this certification. These standards affirm the compatibility and interoperability of products with existing telecom infrastructure. Furthermore, these standards are organized by network interfaces and functional equipment types.
Akin to TEC Type approval, the process of securing this certificate requires furnishing the prescribed application alongside technical documentation confirming adherence to the relevant IR standards. The paperwork should include specs for each interface supported by the product, test reports, and other technical dossiers.
Post application submission, the inspection phase shall come alive wherein the TEC vets the equipment’s compliance concerning interface functionalities and interoperability with telecom networks.
The successful inspection shall lead to the grant of the TEC registration, affirming the products have been certified for quality, intended functionality, and safety.
TEC interface approval also signifies that products facilitate seamless communication and connectivity with different devices and networks.
3. BSNL TSEC (Technical Specification Evaluation Certification):
BSNL TSEC (Technical Specification Evaluation Certification) covers telecom products operating within the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) network infrastructure.
Unlike the aforementioned certifications, this registration is issued by BSNL after testing products against underlying technical specifications.
Obtaining a BSNL TSEC certificate attracts a strignent testing process wherein products undergo an evaluation process to ensure conformity with BSNL’s specific technical requirements and standards. The process entails the given activities:
Laboratory Testing
The equipment is exposed to various tests carried out by certified labs to assess its quality, intended functionality, and compliance with BSNL’s technical specs. These tests also check the interoperability and reliability of the given equipment in relation to BSNL’s network protocols.
Environmental Testing
The telecom product should withstand varied climatic conditions. The environmental testing confirms this by subjecting the product to several tests. The qualified products shall be deemed fit for prolonged use regardless of different weather conditions.
Infrastructure Assessment
BSNL TSEC certification also requires products to be tested on account of infrastructure assessment, ensuring they align with the existing network infrastructure with zero disruptions or compatibility issues.
Documentation Review
The equipment manufacturer or importer must share the technical dossiers such as test reports and design specifications while applying for the BSNL TSEC certification. The BSNL’s technical experts vet these paperwork for compliance and accuracy.
Additional Requirements
In some events, securing TSEC certification seeks additional requirements beyond dossier inspection and technical testing. These requirements include meeting standard performance benchmarks, adherence to specific operational needs, and fulfillment of specialized criteria specified by BSNL.
Conclusion
It is evident from above that telecom equipment and products attract stringent testing and compliance requirements set forth by the DoT. Adherence to these requirements is vital for securing the TEC certificate. In the event of the product failing during testing, the applicant has no other option than to reapply for registration and address the entire testing requirements again.
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