Extension of Mandatory Security Testing for WiFi CPE and IP Router under MTCTE

In a crucial development for the telecommunications industry, the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) has issued significant updates regarding the mandatory security testing for WiFi CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) and IP Router under the MTCTE (Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment) regime.

Here is a timeline of the key notifications:

Initial Notification - 27.02.2023:

Initially, the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) issued a notification on 27.02.2023, stating the start date for accepting applications, including security testing, for WiFi CPEs and IP Routers on the MTCTE portal.

• Start date for accepting applications, including security testing, on the MTCTE portal: 01/07/2023.
• Security parameters, as per Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements (ITSARs), applicable for applications submitted on or after 01/07/2023.
• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) with existing FCTE certificates advised to apply for MTCTE certificate conversion to an integrated certificate with security testing.

Subsequent Notification - 12.06.2023:

In a subsequent notification on 12.06.2023, TEC extended the mandatory start date for accepting online applications for WiFi CPEs and IP Routers.

• Extension of the mandatory start date for online applications for WiFi CPEs and IP Routers by six months.
• New start date shifted from 01.07.2023 to 01.01.2024.

Latest Notification - 26.12.2023:

Continuing this timeline, the latest notification on 26.12.2023 further extended the implementation date for security testing.

• Revised start date for accepting online applications for WiFi CPEs and IP Routers on the Integrated MTCTE & NCCS portal: 01.04.2024.

Industry stakeholders are urged to stay informed and compliant with these updated timelines. For a detailed understanding of the guidelines and information, please refer to the official notifications issued by TEC.

This extension aims to ensure a seamless transition for manufacturers and stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the new dates for security testing under the MTCTE framework.