In big push for telecom industry, gear testing fees cut 95%

India has slashed the security certification fee for telecom equipment makers, the latest in a series of regulatory moves to ease business compliance requirements for companies importing or making telecom and tech equipment or products indigenously.

- Jatin Grover

Companies such as Nokia, Ericsson, Cisco Systems Inc., HFCL Ltd, and Dixon Technologies (India) Ltd will benefit from the government's decision to cut the fee by up to 95% for more than 50 categories of telecom and tech products.

These include routers, connected devices, satellite equipment, smart meters, optical fiber cables, and 5G and WiFi gear, according to a government official and an internal document reviewed by Mint.

"Testing of telecom equipment is a key requirement," the official said, declining to be identified. "The current downward revision in pricing pertains to the fee paid by the companies to the government to get certification, which is also known as security test report evaluation fee." A telecom or tech equipment maker or importer needs to engage a lab designated by the government to test its products and ensure the devices are safe for users and secure for communication networks.