Notification of TEC standard for Essential Requirements

**Executive Summary** The Ministry of Communications, through the Telecommunication Engineering Centre, has notified a new standard for telecommunication equipment under the Telecommunication Act, 2023. Effective from May 7, 2026, the notification mandates compliance with "TEC 30072603 Essential Requirements" for Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) equipment. This regulatory update establishes the framework for standards, conformity assessment, and certification for these specific devices. **Key Points / Main Content** **Regulatory Framework** * The notification is issued under Section 19 of the Telecommunication Act, 2023 (44 of 2023). * It is read in conjunction with Rule 5 of the Telecommunications (Framework to Notify Standards, Conformity Assessment and Certification) Rules, 2025. **Standard Specifications** * **Standard Number:** TEC 30072603. * **Name of Standard:** Essential Requirements for Software Defined Wide Area Network Equipment. * **Effective Date:** The standard comes into effect immediately upon the date of publication in the Official Gazette (May 7, 2026). **Notification Authority** * The notification was issued by the Department of Telecommunications on May 5, 2026, and officially published by authority on May 7, 2026. **Impact Analysis** **Manufacturers and Suppliers of SD-WAN Equipment** **Impact** All Software Defined Wide Area Network equipment must now adhere to the specific essential requirements defined in standard TEC 30072603 to be compliant with Indian telecommunication laws. **Action Required** Manufacturers must review the technical specifications of TEC 30072603 and ensure their equipment undergoes the necessary conformity assessment and certification processes as required by the 2025 Rules. **Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) / Department of Telecommunications** **Impact** The authority is now responsible for enforcing this specific standard for SD-WAN equipment under the new legislative framework of the Telecommunication Act, 2023. **Action Required** The department must facilitate the certification process and ensure that only equipment meeting these notified standards is authorized for use or sale in the market.

Key Entities Referenced