February 2026 Regulatory Newsletter: India, Australia, Venezuela & 6 More Countries
This Month at a Glance:
- India issued four regulatory actions in February, covering 6 GHz RLAN license exemptions, MTCTE requirements for IP security equipment, and two new ITSARs for Open RAN 5G components under its NCCS security framework.
- Latin American regulators tightened certification enforcement: Venezuela capped new type approval certificates at one year and warned of criminal penalties for non-compliance, while Bolivia redefined which equipment categories require mandatory homologation.
- Spectrum management updates came from three regions: Qatar updated its national frequency allocation plan to reflect WRC-23 outcomes, Trinidad and Tobago published Version 4.0 of its frequency table, and Singapore raised cellular terminal certification standards across 5G and LTE-Advanced networks.
Country Updates
Singapore: IMDA Updates Cellular Terminal Rules
February 27, 2026
Singapore’s IMDA has raised the bar for cellular device certification with a comprehensive revision to its Technical Specification for Mobile Terminals, now at Issue 1 Rev 4. Manufacturers must demonstrate compliance with updated safety, radio performance, and emergency communication requirements across 2G, 4G, and 5G device categories before placing equipment on the Singaporean market. The update signals Singapore’s intent to keep device standards current with the latest network technology generations, including IMT-2000, LTE-Advanced Pro, and 5G NR.
Continue Reading: Singapore IMDA Updates Cellular Terminal Rules
Japan: Amendment to Radio Act Enforcement Ordinance
February 27, 2026
Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has filed WTO notification G/TBT/N/JPN/899 for targeted amendments to the Radio Act Enforcement Ordinance affecting Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems and Remote Keyless Entry devices. The proposed changes align Japan’s short-range automotive radio rules with internationally recognized technical practices. Companies supplying automotive wireless components in Japan should monitor this rulemaking closely for compliance timeline implications.
Continue Reading: Japan Amends Radio Act Enforcement Ordinance
India: License Exemption for 6 GHz RLAN
February 26, 2026
India has formalized a license-exempt framework for Wi-Fi 6E and related low-power wireless devices operating in the lower 6 GHz band, a significant spectrum liberalization move gazetted in January 2026. The new rules create clear authorization pathways for RLAN equipment that previously lacked a defined regulatory route in India. Device manufacturers targeting the Indian market with next-generation Wi-Fi products should review the power limits and technical conditions specified in the framework.
Continue Reading: India Formalizes License Exemption for 6 GHz RLAN
Qatar: Updated National Frequency Allocation Plan
February 25, 2026
Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority has overhauled its National Frequency Allocation Plan and Specific Assignments to incorporate decisions from the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference, modernizing the country’s spectrum management framework. The revision reflects Qatar’s commitment to aligning domestic spectrum policy with global ITU standards and accommodating emerging radiocommunication services. Equipment manufacturers and spectrum users should review the updated assignments for any changes affecting their products’ operating frequency bands.
Continue Reading: Qatar Updates National Frequency Allocation Plan
Venezuela: CONATEL Updates Certificate Validity from Indefinite to One Year
February 19, 2026
CONATEL has fundamentally restructured Venezuela’s equipment certification lifecycle by capping new type approval certificates at one year, replacing what had been open-ended validity. This shift introduces an annual renewal obligation for manufacturers, importers, and local representatives holding Venezuelan type approvals. Companies relying on existing certifications should confirm whether their approvals are affected and plan accordingly for the new renewal cadence.
Continue Reading: Venezuela’s CONATEL Updates Certificate Validity from Indefinite to One Year
Ghana: NCA Consults on Terminal Equipment Rules
February 16, 2026
Ghana’s National Communications Authority is developing its first formal technical specification framework for terminal equipment connecting to the national electronic communications network, with an open public consultation on the draft running through early March. The proposed rules cover devices across GSM, 4G, and 5G network technologies and would establish mandatory technical and performance criteria for market entry. Manufacturers planning to enter or expand in the Ghanaian market have a narrow window to shape the final regulatory requirements.
Continue Reading: Ghana NCA Consults on Terminal Equipment Rules
Australia: Mandatory Cyber Rules for Smart Devices
February 16, 2026
Australia’s mandatory cybersecurity regime for consumer IoT devices enters full effect in March 2026, marking the end of the 12-month transition period since the Cyber Security (Security Standards for Smart Devices) Rules 2025 were first registered. The framework requires consumer smart device manufacturers to embed minimum security standards into products before they reach the Australian market. Companies that sell connected consumer electronics in Australia should confirm their product lines meet the new baseline security requirements ahead of the enforcement date.
Continue Reading: Australia Mandates Cyber Rules for Smart Devices
India: New MTCTE Essential Requirements for IP Security Equipment
February 16, 2026
India’s Telecommunication Engineering Centre has extended its MTCTE mandatory certification program to cover IP security equipment, publishing updated Essential Requirements that set the technical bar for this product category. The new standards span a broad range of network security products, requiring manufacturers to complete testing and certification before placing equipment on the Indian market. This expansion underscores India’s systematic approach to bringing all network-connected equipment categories under mandatory certification.
Continue Reading: India Releases New MTCTE Essential Requirements for IP Security Equipment
Trinidad and Tobago: Updated Frequency Allocation Table
February 16, 2026
Trinidad and Tobago’s Telecommunications Authority has published Version 4.0 of the national frequency allocation table, bringing the country’s spectrum management into alignment with the 2024 ITU Radio Regulations and WRC-23 outcomes. The updated TTFAT covers the full spectrum from 8.3 kHz through 3000 GHz, giving manufacturers and operators a current reference for frequency-dependent product compliance in the twin-island nation. Equipment intended for the T&T market should be verified against the new allocation table for any band-specific changes.
Continue Reading: Trinidad and Tobago Updates Frequency Allocation Table
Venezuela: Conatel Warns on Telecom Certification Non-Compliance Penalties
February 15, 2026
Venezuela’s CONATEL has put the industry on formal notice that its mandatory equipment homologation requirements carry real enforcement weight, including the possibility of administrative, customs, and criminal penalties for non-compliance. The authority’s reminder reinforces that certification is a prerequisite for market entry, not an optional step. Companies active in or considering entry to the Venezuelan market should treat homologation compliance as a non-negotiable requirement before any importation or commercialization.
Continue Reading: Venezuela Conatel Warns on Telecom Certification Non Compliance Penalties
Bolivia: Updated Telecom Equipment Homologation List Released
February 11, 2026
Bolivia’s telecoms regulator has refreshed its mandatory homologation list, clarifying the scope of devices that must obtain approval before entering the Bolivian market. The update redefines equipment categories subject to mandatory certification, which could bring previously unregulated device types within the homologation requirement. Manufacturers and importers selling into Bolivia should cross-reference their product portfolios against the revised list to identify any new compliance obligations.
Continue Reading: Bolivia Updates Telecom Equipment Homologation List Released
India: New ITSAR Released for Open RAN 5G Components
February 3, 2026
India’s National Centre for Communication Security has released a dedicated security assurance framework for Open RAN 5G infrastructure components, establishing mandatory security testing standards for O-RU, O-DU, O-CU, and O-Cloud elements under the MTCTE program. This marks a significant expansion of India’s telecom security certification regime into disaggregated 5G architecture, reflecting the country’s focus on supply chain security for next-generation networks. Vendors supplying Open RAN components to Indian operators must now navigate this security testing requirement as part of their market access strategy.
Continue Reading: India Releases New ITSAR for Open RAN 5G Components
India: Security Framework for O-RAN 5G RIC Finalized
February 1, 2026
India has finalized security assurance requirements for the Radio Intelligent Controller, the software-defined control layer of O-RAN 5G architecture, under its MTCTE security framework. The ITSAR for O-RAN RIC components establishes a structured testing regime for this critical network control layer, which plays a central role in managing and optimizing Open RAN deployments. Vendors developing RIC platforms for the Indian market face a new compliance checkpoint that addresses the elevated security risks associated with intelligent network control functions.
Continue Reading: India Finalizes Security Framework for O-RAN 5G RIC