Copyright © HT Digital Streams Limited All rights reserved. The move marks another step in the government’s ongoing effort to update telecommunications equipment standards (REUTERS). Summary India will introduce new essential requirements and technical standards for Internet Protocol terminals, tightening compliance rules for telecommunications devices. The revised norms aim to boost local manufacturing and align with emerging technologies while ensuring cyber security and quality assurance. New Delhi: India plans to introduce new essential requirements (ER) and technical standards for IP (Internet Protocol) terminals under the Telecommunications Engineering Center (TEC) in a move aimed at tightening testing and compliance for telecom equipment sold or imported into the country, according to a World Trade Organization (WTO) document. An Internet Protocol terminal is a device that enables voice, video, or data communication over Internet-based networks, instead of traditional telephone lines. Telecommunications Engineering Centre, the technical division of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), is responsible for the development, standardization and maintenance of technical standards for telecommunications equipment and networks in the country. The move marks another step in the government’s ongoing effort to update telecom equipment standards in line with emerging technologies and security expectations, while also giving a boost to domestic manufacturing under its swadeshi initiative. The revised standards are expected to be rolled out in the next 60 days, and WTO members have been asked to submit their comments by February 9, as required under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). The revision of the IP terminal standards comes at a time when India is working to strengthen interoperability, cybersecurity compliance and quality assurance across telecom equipment. Industry experts say that updates to such standards typically affect testing requirements, certification timelines and the readiness of domestic manufacturers to meet global benchmarks. IP terminals have become increasingly important with the expansion of enterprise communication systems, hybrid work models and broader adoption of Internet-based calling solutions. Ensuring updated technical specifications will help maintain reliability and security while supporting India’s growing digital infrastructure. According to the WTO document reviewed by Munt, the ER falls under DoT’s Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunications Equipment (MTCTE) scheme, which means that all IP terminals sold or imported into India must comply with these updated standards once notified. Under WTO rules, when a member country notifies a proposed technical regulation, other members are given a fixed period—typically 60 days—to review and comment. After this, the issuing country can consider the feedback, finalize the standards and announce their domestic implementation. “The revision of essential requirements for IP terminals is expected to strengthen the technical rigor and credibility of telecom products manufactured in India. While OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and EMS (electronics manufacturing services) partners may need to adjust their testing protocols and compliance workflows, these changes will ultimately increase product quality and market confidence,” said Electronic Sneh, Ah, Electronic System and the director of electronic systems, An Shaim. manufacturing company. “We see this as an opportunity to lead through readiness. With our in-house radio frequency (RF) testing, firmware loading, and telecom-grade printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) capabilities, we are well positioned to support our partners in quickly and efficiently meeting the updated Telecommunications Engineering Center (TEC) standards,” said Shah. The draft submitted to the WTO states that it applies to all Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) terminals, making the updated norms applicable across a broad category of enterprise and consumer IP communications devices. Products must meet TEC’s electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards for emissions and immunity, including electrostatic discharge (ESD), radiated radio frequency, surge, voltage drops, and fast transients—which greatly increase hardware testing and quality requirements. The revised standards will directly affect manufacturers and importers of SIP phones, video conference terminals, IP desk phones and other Internet calling devices, many of which are currently sourced from China, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam and parts of Europe. “Most of India’s enterprise-grade IP terminals – used in IT/ITES centers, banks, call centers and government offices – are imported, and stricter testing under MTCTE could increase compliance costs for foreign manufacturers and delay shipments in the short term,” said RK Bhatnagar, director general, Voice of Indian Commtech Enterprises (VOICE), an industry body. At the same time, he said, the move creates a swadeshi opportunity, as domestic telecom equipment firms building IP phones and unified communications hardware could gain an advantage when compliance becomes uniform for all players, reducing the price gap with low-cost imports and encouraging more local manufacturing under the Make in India program. According to an India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) report, India’s telecom sector continues to show strong momentum, with gross revenue rising from $39.22 billion in FY24 to $43.42 billion in FY25. As of June 2025, the total teledensity stood at 86.09%, reflecting the widespread reach of connectivity across the country. The 5G infrastructure market is set to rise from $14 billion in 2025 to $574.4 billion by 2035, growing at a 45% CAGR based on rapid adoption, heavy investments and large-scale deployment, according to the IBEF report. Get all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download the Mint News app to get daily market updates. more topics #Telekom Read next story