Published: 8 Sep 2026
India Notifies New TEC Standards for IoT Gateways, Fixed Wireless Equipment and Underground Telecom Cables
Omega QMS Compliance Insights
Omega QMS
India has notified three new technical standards for telecommunications equipment covering IoT Gateways, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Customer Premises Equipment, and Underground Telecom Cables.
The standards were notified by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, as S.O. 4360(E), dated 3 August 2026. They take effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette, which was 6 August 2026.
The notification expands India’s technical standards framework across both emerging telecommunications technologies and essential physical network infrastructure.
Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Authority | Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) |
| Department | Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications |
| Notification | S.O. 4360(E) |
| Notification Date | 3 August 2026 |
| Gazette Publication | 6 August 2026 |
| Effective Date | Date of Gazette publication |
| Standards Notified | 3 |
| Legal Basis | Section 19, Telecommunications Act, 2023 read with Rule 5 of the 2025 Rules |
| MTCTE Relevance | Applicable conformity requirements to be assessed based on the notified standards and applicable certification framework |
What Standards Has TEC Notified?
TEC 33011:2026
Test Guide for IoT Gateway
Sets the testing methodology for IoT gateway equipment, which acts as the interface between IoT sensors or devices and wider communication networks.
TEC 21141:2026
Test Guide for FWA Customer Premises Equipment
Provides a test methodology for FWA CPE and complements the FWA Generic Requirements notified earlier, on 17 July 2026.
TEC 68090:2026
Generic Requirements for Underground Telecom Cables
Covers Solid Polythene Insulated, Fully Jelly Filled, Polythene Sheathed Underground Telecom Cables used in physical telecom network infrastructure.
TEC 33011:2026 – IoT Gateway
As connected devices become more integrated into industrial and commercial environments, gateways play an important role in transferring, managing and communicating data between IoT devices and network infrastructure. The test guide is particularly relevant to manufacturers and importers supplying IoT gateways for connected devices, smart metering, industrial monitoring and other IoT deployments.
TEC 21141:2026 – FWA Customer Premises Equipment
The technical compliance framework for FWA equipment now includes a dedicated CPE test guide alongside the previously notified generic requirements. Businesses in fixed wireless broadband equipment should review both documents together when assessing applicable technical and conformity requirements.
TEC 68090:2026 – Underground Telecom Cables
Unlike the first two standards, which focus on newer equipment categories, this standard addresses a fundamental physical-layer component used in telecom network deployment.
Why Is This Notification Important?
The notification reflects the continuing expansion of India’s telecommunications standards and conformity-assessment framework. The three standards cover two distinct areas:
Emerging Technology
IoT Gateway equipment and Fixed Wireless Access Customer Premises Equipment.
Core Telecom Infrastructure
Underground telecommunications cables.
For manufacturers and importers, products within the scope of these standards need to be assessed against the relevant technical requirements and certification framework.
Impact on MTCTE Compliance
The Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunications Equipment (MTCTE) framework requires applicable telecom equipment to comply with notified technical standards and undergo the prescribed conformity assessment. With these standards notified, manufacturers and importers should assess whether their equipment falls within the applicable certification requirements. The regulatory update identifies these categories as particularly relevant:
- IoT gateway manufacturers and importers
- FWA CPE manufacturers and suppliers
- Manufacturers of specified underground telecom cables
- Testing laboratories and conformity assessment bodies
- Telecom operators and infrastructure providers sourcing covered equipment and cabling
Important Compliance Point
The notification states that the standards take effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. No separate transition period is specified. Businesses should not assume the notification creates an automatic grace period for adapting products or technical documentation.
Companies should also separately verify the applicable MTCTE product certification notifications and implementation requirements for their specific equipment before placing products on the Indian market.
IoT Gateway Manufacturers and Importers: What Should They Do?
- Identify whether the product falls within the scope of TEC 33011:2026
- Review the applicable testing methodology
- Assess existing technical documentation and test reports against the new requirements
- Determine the applicable MTCTE certification pathway
- Coordinate with an appropriate testing and certification body where required
- Review future imports and launches for conformity implications
The new test guide gives a defined technical reference point for conformity assessment of IoT gateway equipment.
FWA Equipment Suppliers: Review Both TEC Standards
FWA equipment manufacturers and importers should pay particular attention to the relationship between TEC 21141:2026 (Test Guide for FWA CPE) and the FWA Generic Requirements notified on 17 July 2026. TEC identifies the new test guide as a companion methodology to the earlier generic requirements.
Do not review the new test guide in isolation. Consider both requirements together when determining the technical compliance strategy for FWA CPE.
Underground Telecom Cable Manufacturers: Scope Assessment Is Critical
Manufacturers and suppliers should verify the construction of their products against the specific description covered by TEC 68090:2026:
Solid Polythene Insulated, Fully Jelly Filled, Polythene Sheathed Underground Telecom Cables.
Companies supplying different cable constructions should run a product-by-product scope assessment rather than assuming every underground telecom cable is automatically covered.
Effective Date of the New TEC Standards
TEC notification issued as S.O. 4360(E).
Notification published in the Gazette of India.
The three notified standards take effect from Gazette publication.
Legal Basis for the Notification
The standards were notified under Section 19 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, read with Rule 5 of the Telecommunications (Framework to Notify Standards, Conformity Assessment and Certification) Rules, 2025. The notification was issued under F. No. 24-01/2025-STD/TEC and signed by Rajeev Kumar Tyagi, Deputy Director General, TEC.
Business Impact for Manufacturers and Importers
For Manufacturers
Review product specifications and technical documentation against the relevant TEC standard, and identify any testing or certification requirements to address.
For Importers
Verify whether products sourced from overseas manufacturers fall within scope, and whether the required MTCTE conformity assessment is complete or needs to be initiated.
For Testing Laboratories
Testing laboratories and conformity assessment bodies may need to update their scopes and processes to accommodate the new standards.
For Telecom Infrastructure Providers
Operators and infrastructure companies sourcing covered equipment or underground cables should consider the applicable conformity requirements when evaluating suppliers and products.
Recommended Compliance Actions
Identify the Product Category
Determine whether the product is an IoT Gateway, FWA CPE or specified underground telecom cable.
Conduct a Scope Assessment
Map the product’s technical specifications against the applicable TEC standard.
Review Testing Requirements
Identify the tests, technical documentation and supporting evidence required for conformity assessment.
Check MTCTE Applicability
Verify the current MTCTE certification requirements applicable to the specific product.
Review Existing Certifications and Reports
Assess whether existing test reports or certifications can support the Indian conformity assessment process.
Plan Certification Before Import or Market Placement
Build the new standards into your Indian regulatory compliance planning.
What Does This Mean for the Indian Telecom Industry?
The notification is another step in developing India’s telecom technical standards framework. By introducing dedicated testing requirements for IoT gateways and FWA CPE, TEC is setting clearer technical references for emerging connectivity technologies. Generic requirements for specified underground cables strengthen the framework for the physical infrastructure that supports network expansion.
Together, the three standards broaden the technical coverage of India’s telecom conformity framework across devices, access equipment and network infrastructure.
Conclusion
India has notified three new TEC standards, through S.O. 4360(E) dated 3 August 2026, effective from Gazette publication on 6 August 2026:
Test Guide for IoT Gateway.
Test Guide for Fixed Wireless Access Customer Premises Equipment.
Generic Requirements for Solid Polythene Insulated, Fully Jelly Filled, Polythene Sheathed Underground Telecom Cables.
For manufacturers and importers, the immediate priority is to assess product scope, review the applicable technical requirements and determine the relevant MTCTE conformity assessment pathway. As India’s telecom regulatory framework keeps expanding, businesses should monitor new TEC standards and certification requirements closely to keep products for the Indian market compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
TEC 33011:2026 for IoT Gateways, TEC 21141:2026 for FWA Customer Premises Equipment, and TEC 68090:2026 for specified underground telecom cables.
From the date of their publication in the Official Gazette, which was 6 August 2026.
The Test Guide for IoT Gateway, establishing the testing methodology for the covered IoT gateway equipment.
The Test Guide for Fixed Wireless Access Customer Premises Equipment. It complements the FWA generic requirements notified on 17 July 2026.
Solid Polythene Insulated, Fully Jelly Filled, Polythene Sheathed Underground Telecom Cables.
Yes. Manufacturers and importers should assess the applicability of the newly notified standards within the MTCTE conformity assessment framework and verify the certification requirements for their specific products.
The notification provides no separate transition period; the standards take effect from Gazette publication. Businesses should review the applicable requirements promptly.
How Omega QMS Can Help
Omega QMS assists manufacturers, importers and international businesses with India’s telecom regulatory and certification requirements, including MTCTE compliance, TEC standards, conformity assessment and related import requirements. Our support can include:
- Product scope assessment
- TEC standard applicability review
- MTCTE certification guidance
- Technical documentation review
- Test report assessment
- Coordination for conformity assessment
- Regulatory support for imported telecom equipment
- Ongoing monitoring of TEC and DoT developments
If your IoT gateway, FWA equipment or underground telecom cable is intended for the Indian market, an early regulatory assessment can help identify applicable requirements before certification or import activities begin.
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Need help with TEC standards or MTCTE certification for your product?
Official Reference: Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Notification: S.O. 4360(E). F. No.: 24-01/2025-STD/TEC. Date: 3 August 2026. Gazette Publication: 6 August 2026. Signed by: Rajeev Kumar Tyagi, Deputy Director General, TEC.
Disclaimer: This article is for general regulatory and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
