DoT Notifies New TEC Standards for IoT Gateways, FWA CPE & Underground Telecom Cables (2026)

The DoT issued notifications of three TEC specifications for telecom equipment on 3 August 2026, and they were published in the Gazette of India on 6 August 2026. If your organization is engaged in the manufacture, import, or sale of IoT gateways, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) customer-premises equipment, or underground telecom cables, the new notification directly impacts the technical standard for TEC certification of your products.

In simple terms, a "TEC standard" is a technical rulebook. It specifies exactly which performance, safety, and quality requirements a piece of telecom equipment must meet before it can be tested, certified, and legally sold, imported, or deployed on an Indian telecom network. When DoT "notifies" a standard, that rulebook becomes the official reference point that testing labs and certification authorities use to check your product. Without a notified standard, a product category can sit in a grey zone where certification is slow, inconsistent, or simply not possible.

For businesses, the practical takeaway is simple: if you make or import IoT gateways, FWA CPE, or the specific underground cable construction covered here, you need to confirm your certification paperwork references the correct, current standard number. Getting this wrong even on a technicality like an outdated standard reference can mean delayed shipments, held-up customs clearance, or a rejected certification application. Getting your documentation, testing plan, and certification strategy right the first time is exactly where experienced regulatory compliance support, such as Corpseed's TEC/MTCTE certification assistance, can save real time, cost, and back-and-forth with authorities.

Key Highlights

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.

• Three standards have been formally notified for telecommunication equipment.
  • Standard 1: TEC 33011:2026 Test Guide for IoT Gateway.
  • Standard 2: TEC 21141:2026 Test Guide for Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Customer Premises Equipment.
  • Standard 3: TEC 68090:2026 Generic Requirements for Solid Polythene Insulated, Fully Jelly-Filled, Polythene-Sheathed Underground Telecom Cables.
• The standards take effect from the date of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette, i.e., 6 August 2026.
• This notification does not impose any additional time limit for compliance beyond the effective date noted above.
• These standards form part of India's wider certification regime (MTCTE), which applies to telecom equipment manufactured, imported, or used in India.
• Organizations that are already certified for comparable products are advised to confirm whether their existing standard reference remains relevant.

The Regulatory Framework

Applicable Act: The Telecommunications Act, 2023, which is the primary legislative framework governing telecom networks, spectrum, and telecom equipment in India. This Act largely replaces the colonial-era Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, as the cornerstone for telecommunication regulation.

Applicable Regulations: Telecommunications (Framework to Notify Standards, Conformity Assessment and Certification) Rules, 2025. These regulations have been notified to establish a systematic approach to setting technical standards and ensuring compliance through conformity assessment. The regulations cover all stakeholders in the telecoms equipment chain: manufacturers, importers, laboratories, telecoms operators, and, by extension, consumers of such equipment. The regulations have formally repealed the previous Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017, which had governed the testing and certification of telecoms equipment for nearly a decade. However, the standards and certification criteria remain valid until a fresh notification under Section 19 of the Act repeals them, which is essentially what this 3 August 2026 notification does.

Notifying Authority: Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), the technical wing of the Department of Telecommunications, originally established in 1991 to develop and maintain technical standards for telecom equipment and networks in India. TEC also acts as the Designating Authority, appointing accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), the labs authorised to test equipment and issuing the final TEC certificate once a lab's test report confirms compliance.

How TEC Standards Are Classified: TEC organises its technical benchmarks into a few recognised categories, including Generic Requirements (GRs), baseline requirements applicable broadly to a product category, Interface Requirements (IRs), Service Requirements (SRs), and Test Guides, which specifically define the test methods and procedures used to check conformity. In this notification, two of the three standards (TEC 33011:2026 and TEC 21141:2026) are Test Guides. At the same time, the third (TEC 68090:2026) is a Generic Requirements document, meaning it sets the baseline technical benchmark for the cable type itself. At the same time, the two Test Guides define how conformity of the IoT gateway and FWA CPE products is actually verified in a lab.

Legal Background: Under Rule 5 of the 2025 Rules, the Central Government, acting through TEC, is empowered to notify technical standards for defined categories of telecom equipment formally. Once notified in the Official Gazette, a standard becomes the binding reference document against which conformity assessment (testing and certification) is carried out for that equipment category, and it feeds directly into the MTCTE certification process.

Scope: This notification covers three equipment categories: IoT gateways, FWA customer premises equipment, and a specific type of underground telecom cable. It does not change the certification process, application procedure, or fee structure; it only adds or updates the technical standards that testing labs and TEC will apply when assessing these product categories in the future.

Industries Covered: Telecom equipment manufacturers, IoT hardware developers, fixed wireless broadband equipment vendors, telecom cable manufacturers, equipment importers, telecom infrastructure contractors, and telecom service providers who procure or deploy this equipment across their networks.

What Has Changed?

The notification formally brings three specific technical documents into force as official TEC standards, each tied to a distinct equipment category. Here is what each one covers, in plain terms:

A Test Guide, in practical terms, is the document that a testing lab follows, step by step, to determine whether a sample product passes or fails against the relevant benchmark. It typically defines the test setup, parameters checked, and pass/fail criteria for that product type. Generic Requirements, on the other hand, define the underlying technical specification the product itself must be built and manufactured to meet in this case, construction and performance requirements for the cable's insulation, jelly-filling, and sheathing.

Previous position vs. new position: The notification text does not explicitly state that it withdraws or replaces an earlier version of a standard for these three categories it notifies them as the current applicable standards with effect from the Gazette publication date. If your product currently holds a certification referencing an older or interim standard for IoT gateways, FWA CPE, or this cable construction, it is worth confirming directly with TEC or a certification consultant whether the newly notified standard supersedes the one your existing certificate references, and whether retesting or a documentation update is required.

Implementation Timeline

• Effective Date: The standards apply with effect from the date of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette, i.e., 6 August 2026.
• Transition Period: There is no provision for any transition period or grace period in this notification. This is generally the case with such standards notifications, which become immediately effective from the date of Gazette Notification.
• Applicability: This applies only to the three types of equipment mentioned: IoT gateways, FWA CPE and the specified underground telecom cable installation. This will not apply retroactively to other product categories.
• Action Required by Business: Manufacturers and importers of these three types of equipment should immediately verify their current TEC/MTCTE certificate status with respect to the notified standard numbers and confirm from the test laboratory/TEC whether retesting, submission of a fresh application for certification or just an update on the document mentioning the new standard number is required for future/new applications.
• Fresh Applications: Any MTCTE application received in these product categories after 6 August 2026 should cite the newly notified standard as the relevant benchmark.

Why Was This Implemented?

Standards notifications like this one are a routine but structurally important part of how India's telecom certification system stays current with technology and market needs. The broader legal framework under Section 19 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 establishes testing and certification mandates for telecom equipment used across Indian networks, with the underlying goal of strengthening security, interoperability, and quality control throughout the sector. The certification framework's core objective is to ensure that telecom equipment and services conform to notified technical and security requirements through a formal conformity assessment process one that supports accountability, user safety, and the reliability of telecom infrastructure at large.

The cable standard, TEC 68090:2026, supports consistent quality benchmarks for underground telecom cable infrastructure, a foundational, if less visible, part of network reliability. Underground cables of this construction (solid polythene insulated, fully jelly-filled, polythene sheathed) are widely used for physical protection against moisture and mechanical stress in buried telecom lines. Hence, a current Generic Requirements standard helps ensure a consistent baseline of quality across manufacturers supplying this cable type to network operators and infrastructure projects nationwide.

More broadly, keeping TEC standards current also supports India's ease-of-doing-business and interoperability goals; manufacturers benefit from having an unambiguous, up-to-date reference for design and testing, rather than relying on outdated or draft specifications that can create uncertainty during certification.

Impact on Businesses

• Manufacturers (IoT gateways, FWA CPE, telecom cables): Please test your products to comply with the new TEC standard numbers to obtain TEC certification in the future, and update internal quality documents, design validation checklists, and supplier specifications to reference the updated standard.
• Importers: If you import IoT gateways, FWA CPE, or specific types of cable intended for use in India, you must ensure they conform to TEC standards as part of MTCTE certification to obtain import approval and sell them. Any references to an outdated standard number on import papers may lead to delays.
• Exporters: Even though the destination country determines export regulations, companies operating in India that export products to other countries may improve their brand image by aligning with current TEC standards, since many Indian companies do business with certain international buyers.
• Brand Owner / OEM: Even if the product is produced for you by a subcontractor, it must include proper certification referencing the appropriate, up-to-date standard.
• MSMEs and Startups: Smaller IoT hardware startups and FWA equipment makers, who often operate on tighter timelines and budgets than large OEMs, should factor the cost and lead time of testing against the new standard into their product launch and go-to-market planning, ideally well before a launch date is locked in.
• Large Enterprises: While larger firms with their own testing facilities or associations with certified laboratories are likely to find it easier to adapt to this change, they must ensure that their certification status is up to date.
• Telecom Service Providers / Network Operators: Procurement teams sourcing FWA CPE or underground cable for network rollout and expansion projects should confirm that vendor equipment carries certification referencing the currently applicable standard, to avoid procurement or deployment delays.
• Distributors / Retailers / Traders: Should confirm with their suppliers that stock currently being sold or planned for future orders carries valid, current TEC certification, rather than relying on certificates issued against a superseded standard.
• Service Providers Installing or Maintaining Equipment: Installation and field service teams working on FWA CPE or IoT gateway deployments should be aware that newly procured units are expected to carry certification to the current standard, which may be relevant during network audits or compliance checks.

Although the notification does not impose different financial sanctions on businesses that are not in compliance, they can consult the enforcement provisions in the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the 2025 Rules for sanctions on conducting business with uncertified or non-compliant equipment. The more comprehensive enforcement provisions in the 2025 Rules allow for the issuance of notices to correct non-compliance within a set period, and any further non-compliance may result in suspension of service or seizure of the uncertified equipment.

How Businesses Can Approach Compliance?

• Identify applicability: Confirm whether your product falls under the IoT Gateway, FWA CPE, or the specified underground cable category covered by this notification.
• Check the current certification status: If you already hold a TEC/MTCTE certificate for the product, verify which standard number it currently references and compare it against TEC 33011:2026, TEC 21141:2026, or TEC 68090:2026, as applicable.
• Coordinate with an accredited test lab: testing against the newly notified standard will typically be needed for new certification applications, and may be needed for renewals or updates to existing certificates. TEC designates specific Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) authorised to conduct this testing.
• Prepare or update your MTCTE application: submit a fresh application, or update an existing one, through the applicable DoT/TEC online certification portal, referencing the correct standard and attaching the relevant test reports.
• Review Essential Requirements carefully: MTCTE certification is assessed against defined Essential Requirements for each product category, covering aspects such as network integrity, user safety, and radio-frequency emission limits where applicable align your product documentation accordingly.
• Maintain organised documentation: keep test reports, technical files, design records, and certificates well organised and easily accessible, since these are typically required again at renewal or during compliance audits.
• Track certification validity and renewal timelines: Certificates are generally issued for a defined validity period; track renewal dates proactively so certification does not lapse mid-sales cycle.
• Update supply chain and vendor documentation: If you are a brand owner or distributor relying on third-party manufacturers, request updated compliance documentation from your suppliers that references the current standard.

Common mistakes businesses should avoid: mentioning the number of a superseded standard within a new certification request automatically assuming that the validity of an old certificate continues even after a new standard notification for the same product class is issued waiting until right before the launch of the product to carry out tests and not disseminating information about new standards within the organization.

Benefits for Businesses

Conforming to the new standards has multiple tangible benefits apart from compliance in itself:

• Continuous access to the market: The products that comply with the current standard are not subject to detention at customs, sales stoppage, or application denial due to out-of-date information.
• Lower risk of penalties or enforcement measures: Complying with the current standard reduces the likelihood of receiving notices, suspensions, or seizures under the certification scheme's general enforcement rules.
• Stronger buyer and partner confidence: A current, correctly referenced TEC certificate signals to distributors, network operators, and B2B buyers that your product meets the latest recognised benchmark.
• Smoother government and enterprise tenders: Many public-sector and large enterprise procurement processes require current, valid certification as a mandatory qualifying criterion.
• Operational efficiency: Aligning early avoids the scramble and rushed testing that often happens when a certification gap is discovered late, close to a shipment or launch deadline.
• Better long-term product planning: Having a clear, current technical benchmark makes it easier to plan design validation and quality assurance processes with confidence, rather than working against an outdated or ambiguous reference.

Right Decision or Additional Compliance Step?

This notification is best understood as a routine technical update rather than a sweeping new regulatory burden. It does not introduce a new licensing regime, a new fee structure, or a fundamentally new compliance process it simply fills in or refreshes the specific test/requirement standard for three equipment categories that were, in principle, already expected to go through certification under the existing MTCTE framework.

For companies that are familiar with MTCTE and TEC certification, the only issue addressed by this notification is a technical one: ensuring the correct standard is referenced. This is not an issue that would require much time or restructuring.

For newer entrants, particularly IoT hardware startups and FWA equipment manufacturers who may previously have been operating without a clearly defined, up-to-date test benchmark for their category, this notification arguably reduces uncertainty. Having an explicit, current standard to design and test against can make product planning easier and more predictable than operating under an unclear, outdated, or draft requirement, even though it does require upfront testing and documentation.

However, the primary issue faced by companies is not the content of the requirement but the timing and awareness of it, to ensure that the update is detected early enough to be incorporated into any certification applications in progress or soon to be submitted.

Business Opportunities Created

Beyond the immediate compliance task, a clear and current standard can open up practical opportunities for businesses positioned to act on it:

• Faster, more predictable certification for new product launches- A defined, current standard reduces ambiguity for companies developing new IoT gateway or FWA CPE products, supporting more predictable go-to-market timelines.
• Stronger positioning in government and infrastructure tenders: Telecom infrastructure and smart-city projects that require current TEC-certified equipment create demand that compliant manufacturers and suppliers are well placed to capture.
• Expansion into IoT and fixed wireless hardware manufacturing: As India's IoT and FWA broadband segments continue to grow, having early, correct certification against the current standard can be a competitive advantage when pitching to network operators and system integrators.
• Import and distribution opportunities: International manufacturers seeking to enter or expand in the Indian market now have a clear, current benchmark to certify against, which can support faster market entry when handled correctly.
• Underground cable supply opportunities: Telecom operators and infrastructure contractors expanding wired network capacity will require cable that meets the current Generic Requirements standard, creating a clear specification for cable manufacturers and suppliers to build against.
• Value in specialised compliance consulting: The recurring need to track, interpret, and act on TEC standard updates across multiple product lines creates ongoing demand for dedicated regulatory compliance support, particularly for manufacturers managing certification across multiple equipment categories simultaneously.

Why Choose Corpseed?

Keeping track of every TEC standard update, correctly matching it to your specific product category, and managing the full MTCTE application process can be time-consuming for manufacturers and importers focused on building and selling products, not on chasing paperwork or monitoring Gazette notifications.

Corpseed's regulatory compliance team tracks these notifications as they are published, helps identify precisely which standard applies to your product based on its technical specifications, and coordinates with accredited testing labs to plan the testing process efficiently. On the documentation side, Corpseed assists with preparing and filing MTCTE applications, organising technical files and test reports, and managing renewals so certificates don't lapse unexpectedly.

For businesses managing certification across multiple product lines IoT gateways, FWA CPE, cables, or other MTCTE-covered categories having a single point of coordination for tracking standard updates and managing filings can meaningfully reduce internal time and risk, while keeping the process transparent and predictable from application to approval.

Corpseed's Core Message

Missing a standard update or filing a certification application under the wrong reference number can quietly translate into real business costs: delayed shipments, products held up at customs, rejected applications, or missed tender eligibility. If your business manufactures or imports IoT gateways, FWA CPE, or underground telecom cables of the type covered here, it is worth confirming today whether your current or planned certification aligns with TEC 33011:2026, TEC 21141:2026, or TEC 68090:2026.

Rather than treating this as a routine detail to handle later, address it now while the notification is fresh to reduce the risk of it becoming an urgent, deadline-driven problem down the line. Corpseed's compliance team can conduct a quick applicability check for your specific product, flag exactly which documentation or testing updates are needed, and manage the certification process end-to-end, so your team can stay focused on the product itself.

Conclusion

This notification updates the technical standards landscape for three telecom equipment categories: IoT gateways, FWA customer premises equipment, and a specific underground telecom cable construction under the framework established by the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the 2025 Rules governing standards, conformity assessment, and certification. It takes effect from 6 August 2026, with no separate transition period stated in the notification text.

For businesses in this space, the required action is clear: confirm the applicable standard reference for your product, check it against your current certification status, and align your TEC/MTCTE documentation and testing plan accordingly to avoid avoidable delays in sales, imports, or tender eligibility. While this update is administrative in nature rather than a major regulatory overhaul, timely action matters certification gaps are far easier to resolve proactively than after a shipment is held up or an application is rejected.

For a quick applicability check on your specific product, or for end-to-end support with TEC standard alignment and MTCTE certification, reach out to Corpseed's compliance team.