The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) plays a crucial role in regulating and standardizing telecommunication devices to ensure their compatibility, reliability, and safety. One of the key aspects of NTC’s regulatory framework is the Type Approval/Acceptance procedures which ensures that CPE’s meet the necessary technical standards. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the specifics of NTC Type Approval/Acceptance, focusing on the Revised Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) Interface Standard outlined in Memorandum Circular 02-01-2001.
There are 2 procedures for a CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) will be allowed to be connected to public communication networks under the Memorandum Circular No. 1-04-88, otherwise known as the Rules and Regulations Governing Equipment Provided by Customer/Subscribers of Public Networks:
Type Approval is a process by which a CPE is evaluated for conformance to national CPE interface standards, as recommended by ITU-T and/or ITU-R. In this process the CPE is tested and evaluated to determine its operational compatibility with public communication networks. The purpose of this process is to ensure that when these CPEs are connected to the network will not cause harm and will assure safety for the following:
- the end-users, regarding their lives, health and properties;
- the public telecommunication networks and employees, from malfunction and damage; and
- the users of the frequency spectrum, from interference and spurious emissions.
Type Acceptance is a process in which a CPE may be accepted in the absence of established standards that correspond to the specification of such CPEs.
Absence of either of these certificates CPE will not be allowed to be connected to public communications network except those that fall within the provisions of Section II c.
“A non- type approved CPE brought from overseas by an individual subscriber for personal use and intended for connection to a public telecommunications network may not be required to undergo type approval process, provided that the same CPE is subjected to interface approval testing by the intended serving network operator. The subscriber may apply for connection directly to the concerned network operator subject to the safety requirements of this Circular and the operator’s authorized rates, charges and technical requirements. The importation of CPE by an individual subscriber is subject, however, to the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Customs and permits/clearances from this Commission.”
Under the abovementioned Memorandum Circular, the following are the cases that requires Type Approval:
- new types/classes, models of CPE intended for connection to a public telecommunications network;
- modification or alteration of a previously type approved CPE or grandfathered CPE circuitry and/or its associated network interface;
In case where there is change in the trade name and/or model name of the previously approved CPE, testing is no longer required but issuance of the new type approval certificate is required under the new trade name and/or model name or model number.
What are the Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) that may be allowed for connection to a public telecommunications network subject to type approval and the application of authorized rates and tariff charges?
The following are the CPEs subject to approval:[1]
- Private Branch Exchange (PBXs)
- Key Telephone Systems (KTS)
- Corded Telephone Sets
- Cordless Telephone Sets
- Special purpose terminal equipments designed to operate in conjunction with central office facilities to receive and transmit data from a subscriber’s location or to operate in a manner that serves public interest. They include but are not limited to;
- Alarm dialing and signaling equipment for industrial, security, fire, instruction, and equipment failure applications.
- Traffic Recorder or device for measuring the amount of traffic carried by a group or several groups of switches, lines or trunks and may have the capability of periodically printing a record of that traffic.
- Variation Monitors or devices for sensing deviations in electrical characteristics of a line and capable of providing an alarm or initiating other actions when program of the electrical characteristics are exceeded.
- Multiplexer or device that allows transmission of a number of different signals simultaneously over a single telecommunications channel.
- Concentrators are included in this heading.
- Automatic dialer or a separate device that dials a call automatically over the public network. The device may include the capability to include dial attempts after encountering a busy signal.
- Automatic Answering Machine or device connected to a telephone line which operates in such a manner that when the user is absent, the device answers calls and gives a recorded message and may or may not provide for recording of a short message for the caller.
- Call distributor or a device that distributes incoming calls to different operating positions to spread traffic load and increase efficiency.
- Data communications equipment (DCE) provides the functions required to establish, maintain and terminate a connection, the signal conversion, and coding required for communication between data terminal equipment and the public telecommunications network. DCE may or may not be an integral part of a computer (e.g. dial-up modem).
- Data terminal equipment (DTE) consists of digital end instruments that convert user information into data signals for transmission, or reconvert the received signals into user information. The DTE may consist of a single piece of equipment that provides all required function necessary or it may be an interconnected subsystem of multiple pieces of equipment which together perform all the required functions.
- Facsimile machine or device employed at the transmit end to convert a hard copy to electrical signals suitable for delivery to the public telecommunications network and at the receive end to convert picture signals to a hard copy.
- Teleprinter or device having a signal actuated mechanism for automatically printing received message. The device may also include a keyboard for manually sending line signals, a paper tape transmitter and paper tape punch/reader or the electronic equivalent of these. (Intended for connection to a telex network).
- Wireless Paging Receiver using selective radio signal to summon a person, exact whereabouts unknown, to the nearest telephone or to deliver a message to the person carrying the paging unit.
- Cellular Mobile Telephone Subscriber Terminal is a terminal unit connected to the cellular mobile telephone system which is a wide area mobile radio telephone system composed of clusters of cells capable of providing high-capacity mobile as well as fixed telecommunication services by utilizing frequency re-use techniques.
- Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) terminal equipment connected to a satellite system providing telecommunications services directly to end-users anywhere in the globe from a constellation of satellite.
- Fixed Wireless Access Subscriber Unit is a fixed terminal equipment located at the end-user or subscriber’s premises wherein it is connected to the public telecommunications network via the fixed wireless access system. Fixed wireless access is an access application using radio technology rather than copper wire or optical fibers to reach subscriber’s premises in which the locations of the subscriber and the network access point are fixed.
- Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) equipment is a technological innovation in the field of satellite communications that allows reliable transmission of information (voice, data and facsimile) via satellite using small satellite antennas.
- Credit Card Verification, Debit Payment and other similar Point of Sale (POS) transaction devices that utilize the public telecommunications network.
- Caller Line Identification Device (CLID) is a device connected or built-in to the telephone set that shows the identity i.e. the telephone number and/or registered name of the calling party.
- Advanced CPEs
Type approval for all CPEs are universal in nature hence it’s applicable to all concerned operators. [2]However, Type approval does not guarantee full operational compatibility when connected to a particular public telecommunications network. In this regard, public telecommunications networks may conduct their own further evaluation of type approved CPEs based on their own specific requirements.
To ensure compatibility an Interface approval is processed by which CPEs are evaluated, at the option of a public telecommunications operator, not only to guarantee safely, as required by this Circular, but also to ensure operational compatibility when connected to the network of said public telecommunications operator.
Apsay Law recognizes the complexities of navigating NTC acceptance/approvals and provides tailored legal assistance to clients. Here’s how Apsay Law can help:
Legal Consultation:
Apsay Law offers expert legal consultation to guide clients through the regulatory landscape, ensuring a clear understanding of the requirements and processes involved in NTC approvals/acceptance.
Documentation Assistance:
The law firm assists clients in preparing comprehensive documentation required for NTC Type Approval, Type Acceptance, and Grant of Conformity. This includes ensuring that all legal and technical requirements are met.
Representation in Regulatory Proceedings:
Apsay Law represents clients in regulatory proceedings, liaising with the NTC on their behalf to streamline the approval process and address any issues that may arise during the application.
Conclusion:
Navigating NTC approvals/acceptance is a crucial aspect of regulatory compliance. With the legal expertise provided by Apsay Law, clients can confidently pursue Type Approval, Type Acceptance, and Grant of Conformity, ensuring their operations align with the standards set forth in Memorandum Circular No. 02-01-2001.
MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 02-01-2001-REVISED CUSTOMER PREMISES EQUIPMENT INTERFACE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR TYPE APPROVAL AND TYPE ACCEPTANCE Section 1-f
[2] Section 1-