Overview
IMDA regulations ensure the safety and reliability of telecommunication equipment sold and used in Singapore. As the regulatory body responsible for the registration of telecommunication equipment, IMDA has established a comprehensive framework that outlines the procedures and requirements for the registration of such equipment for sale and use in Singapore.
Details are given in the document entitled "Guide for Registration of Telecommunication Equipment".
Equipment registration is based on the submission of the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC). The SDoC signifies that the supplier has carried out a conformity assessment of the equipment to IMDA's Standards. The supplier declares equipment conformity based on the results of the conformity assessment, supported by test reports and technical documents.
IMDA accepts test reports, which present test results of equipment testing done according to IMDA's Standards by (i) testing labs recognised by IMDA under a phase I mutual recognition arrangement; (ii) testing labs accredited by accreditation bodies recognised by IMDA; or (iii) equipment manufacturers.
IMDA also accepts equipment certification by local or foreign certification bodies recognised by IMDA under a phase II mutual recognition arrangement.
Registration of telecommunication equipment
| Title | Date of issue |
| Guide for Registration of Telecommunication Equipment (601.17KB) |
August 2024 |
| Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) (62.91KB) |
August 2024 |
| Q&A on Requirements for Telecommunication Equipment Registration (299.00KB) |
July 2023 |
| Date of Issue |
|---|
Notice
1) Equipment Registration for Private Automatic Branch Exchange (“PABX”) for Compliance with Security Requirements
IMDA has published the finalised Technical Specification for Security Requirements for Private Automatic Branch Exchange (“IMDA TS PABX-SEC (298.98KB)”) on 28 August 2024. The IMDA TS PABX-SEC specifies the minimum security requirements for PABXs sold in Singapore, ensuring that these systems are better protected when purchased and deployed by enterprises, thus safeguarding both the telecommunication service providers’ networks and enterprises’ PABX from security threats from the Internet.
The PABX equipment is required to comply with the above IMDA Standards and register the equipment with IMDA.
The timeline for compliance with TS PABX-SEC is as follows:
2) Cessation of equipment registration and sales of 3G-only mobile terminals and non-VoLTE capable mobile/smart phones
Updates: 3G services to retire in phases, starting with M1’s network in Aug 2024
On 26 July 2023, IMDA together with Singtel Mobile Singapore Pte Ltd, StarHub Mobile Pte Ltd and M1 Limited (collectively the "MNOs") announced the planned cessation of MNOs’ 3G networks and the provision of 3G services, with effect from 31 July 2024.
With the impending cessation of the 3G networks, IMDA will stop accepting new registrations and renewals of 3G-only mobile terminals1 and non-VoLTE2 capable mobile/smart phones3 with effect from 1 November 2023
With effect from 1 February 2024:
- IMDA will de-register the approved registrations of 3G-only mobile terminals and non-VoLTE capable mobile phones.
- The sale of 3G-only mobile terminals and non-VoLTE capable mobile phones for local use will accordingly no longer be allowed from 1 February 2024. Dealers/equipment suppliers who had previously registered such mobile terminals and mobile phones with IMDA shall stop all sale of such deregistered mobile terminals and mobile phones for local use by this date.
- Only dealers/equipment suppliers who are granted Dealer (Individual) Licences by IMDA may import or offer for sale unregistered 3G-only mobile terminals and non-VoLTE capable mobile phones for export purposes and/or use overseas only. In such cases, IMDA’s licence conditions in relation to the sale of non-registered telecommunication equipment will apply.
Dealers/equipment suppliers are required to do the following with effect from 26 July 2023:
- When selling 3G-only mobile terminals and non-VoLTE capable mobile/smart phones to customers, dealers/equipment suppliers are to advise customers that 3G services will cease with effect by end July 2024. This will help ensure that these customers are fully aware and that they make an informed choice when purchasing such terminals/mobile phones, especially if they intend to use such terminals/mobile phones in Singapore.
- If customers wish to purchase unregistered 3G-only mobile terminals and non-VoLTE capable mobile/smart phones for overseas use after 1 February 2024, dealers/equipment suppliers (who have a Dealer’s Individual Licence) may sell the mobile terminals to them, but only on the understanding that the mobile terminals are strictly for export purposes and/or for overseas use only.
The above measures will minimise the number of end users in Singapore who are still using 3G mobile terminals when 3G networks are gradually phased out by end July 2024, and to avoid inconvenience to end users.
For customers purchasing 4G or 5G mobile/smart phones, dealers/equipment suppliers are also advised to ensure that Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is enabled, or assist the customer to enable VoLTE on the new mobile/smart phones and encourage them to make a test call to ensure that voice calls can be made through VoLTE. With the cessation of 3G networks, voice call services such as those to emergency services can only be made via VoLTE. If queried on the need to enable VoLTE, dealers/equipment suppliers should explain that the VoLTE settings are needed to make/receive voice calls, given the cessation of 3G networks.
Equipment registration
Equipment registration can be made online at the GoBusines portal.
1 3G-only mobile terminals refer to mobile terminals that operate in the 1910 – 1980 MHz/2110 – 2170 MHz (UTRA Band I) and 880 – 915 MHz/925-960 MHz (UTRA Band VIII) frequency bands and do not have the capability to use newer technologies such as 4G or 5G.
2 Non-VoLTE (Voice over LTE) capable handphones refer to mobile/smart phones that do not support the VoLTE technology. They lack the necessary hardware or software to make voice calls using the LTE network. Instead, these devices typically rely on older network technologies like 2G or 3G for voice call services.
3 Mobile/Smart phones are primarily designed for communication, both voice and data, and generally run on mobile operating systems like iOS and Android in contrast to other equipment which have mobile communication capabilities as one of their several functions. They are a sub-category of mobile terminals.
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