Published: 22 Oct 2026
Telecom Equipment Makers Face Updated Technical Benchmarks as DoT Notifies Four Revised TEC Standards
Omega QMS Compliance Insights
Omega QMS
REGULATORY INTELLIGENCE
REGULATORY UPDATE | S.O. 5722(E), DATED 15 OCTOBER 2026 | EFFECTIVE FROM GAZETTE PUBLICATION
The Department of Telecommunications (Telecommunication Engineering Centre), Ministry of Communications, has notified four revised standards for telecommunication equipment. They cover a fraud management test guide, monitoring equipment for lawful interception, and two types of metal-free optical fibre cable for underground duct use.
The standards have been notified through S.O. 5722(E), dated 15 October 2026, and take effect from the date of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette, which the e-Gazette listing shows as 21 October 2026. The notification states no transition period.
WHAT HAS CHANGED?
Four Revised Standards Notified — Under Section 19 and Rule 5
The notification is issued under section 19 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (44 of 2023), read with rule 5 of the Telecommunications (Framework to Notify Standards, Conformity Assessment and Certification) Rules, 2025. The Central Government notifies the listed standards as revised standards for telecommunication equipment.
Coverage — Fraud Management, Lawful Interception and Optical Fibre Cables
TEC 58111:2026 is a Test Guide for the Fraud Management and Control Centre (FMCC). TEC 61020:2025 sets Generic Requirements for Monitoring Equipment for Lawful Interception of PSTN / NGN / IMS. TEC 85030:2026 sets Generic Requirements for Metal free Ribbon Optical Fibre Cable with Nylon Outer Sheath for underground duct application, and TEC 85140:2026 sets Generic Requirements for Metal Free Optical Fibre Cable with Nylon Outer Sheath for underground duct application (Type-I and Type-II).
Commencement — From Publication in the Official Gazette
The standards apply with effect from the date of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette. The notification does not provide a phase-in or transition period for any of the four standards.
What the Notification Does Not Say
The notification is a list. It does not say what changed in each standard, does not name the earlier versions that the revised standards replace, and does not state who must comply or whether certification against these standards is mandatory. Businesses will need to read the standards themselves, and any related requirements, to answer those questions.
| Standard | Document Type | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| TEC 58111:2026 | Test Guide | Fraud Management and Control Centre (FMCC) |
| TEC 61020:2025 | Generic Requirements | Monitoring Equipment for Lawful Interception of PSTN / NGN / IMS |
| TEC 85030:2026 | Generic Requirements | Metal free Ribbon Optical Fibre Cable with Nylon Outer Sheath for underground duct application |
| TEC 85140:2026 | Generic Requirements | Metal Free Optical Fibre Cable with Nylon Outer Sheath for underground duct application (Type-I and Type-II) |
| Item | In the Notification? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Stated | Section 19, Telecommunications Act, 2023, read with rule 5 of the 2025 Rules |
| Commencement | Stated | From the date of publication in the Official Gazette |
| Changes made in each standard | Not stated | Only standard numbers and names are listed |
| Earlier versions replaced | Not stated | No earlier version is named |
| Who must comply; certification mandatory | Not stated | Not addressed |
| Transition period | Not stated | None provided |
WHY THIS MATTERS
Standards notified under section 19 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 act as technical benchmarks for telecommunication equipment under the framework set by the 2025 Rules. Revised standards matter because test reports, design specifications and procurement documents are usually written against a specific standard number and year.
This notification updates four such benchmarks at once, and it creates practical considerations for businesses, particularly those facing:
- Products or test reports referring to earlier versions of the fraud management, lawful interception or optical fibre cable standards
- Optical fibre cable specifications for underground duct use, where both the ribbon cable and the Type-I and Type-II cable standards have been revised
- No stated transition period, so the date from which the revised versions apply is the date of Gazette publication
- The absence of a change summary, which means each revised standard has to be compared against the version currently in use
KEY INSIGHT
The notification lists the revised standards and nothing more: it does not say what changed, which versions are replaced, who is bound, or whether certification is required. Businesses should not assume a compliance obligation or its absence from this text alone. They should obtain each revised TEC standard, compare it with the version they currently use, and check separately whether any certification, approval or procurement requirement refers to these standards.
BUSINESS IMPACT
Manufacturers and suppliers in these four categories should obtain the revised standards and compare them with the versions in use.
Testing and compliance teams should confirm which version applies from the date of Gazette publication.
With no transition period stated, existing test reports and specifications should be reviewed promptly.
Procurement and network teams may need to update specifications to the new standard numbers and years.
Whether certification is mandatory for these products should be confirmed separately, as the notification does not address it.
CONCLUSION
S.O. 5722(E) notifies four revised TEC standards, for an FMCC test guide, lawful interception monitoring equipment and two metal-free optical fibre cables, with effect from Gazette publication and without a stated transition period. Businesses dealing in these equipment categories should obtain the revised texts, identify what has changed, and confirm any related certification or procurement requirements.
HOW OMEGA QMS CAN HELP
At Omega QMS, we help businesses navigate India’s evolving regulatory framework, including BIS certification, customs regulations, import-export procedures, QCO compliance, and standards and conformity requirements for telecommunication equipment.
Supplying Telecom Equipment Covered by the Revised TEC Standards?
If your business requires assistance with the revised TEC standards or related conformity assessment, our experts can help ensure timely and seamless compliance.
SOURCES
Primary Source
Ministry of Communications (Department of Telecommunications), Telecommunication Engineering Centre, Government of India — S.O. 5722(E), F. No. 24-01/2025-STD/TEC-Part (1), notification of revised standards for telecommunication equipment under section 19 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, dated 15 October 2026, signed by Rajeev Kumar Tyagi, Deputy Director General. Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), No. 5505, dated 21 October 2026, per the e-Gazette listing.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
