The Regulatory Authority of the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR) has published the final guidelines for Type of Approval of Radio Equipment and Telecom Terminal Equipment (RTTE) following a public consultation process.
The Type Approval guidelines apply to all parties interested in importing RTTE to Qatar or manufacturing RTTE in Qatar. The guidelines are part of ictQATAR's new Type Approval regime, which aims to improve the level of efficiency and transparency of the current type approval process, and to better facilitate competition and choice in the RTTE market in Qatar.
"ictQATAR is working to improve upon the current Type Approval regime and to provide a framework for opening up the market for importation and commercialization of RTTE. We are moving from a regime where only a limited number of Importers can apply for Type Approval to a more open regime where a wide range of entities such as manufacturers, authorized Importers, licensed operators and private companies can apply for Type Approval," said Saleh Al-Kuwari, Manager, Regulatory Technical Affairs, ictQATAR.
ictQATAR published its Type Approval Policy in August 2009, and the Type Approval Guidelines are an important step in implementing that policy. The draft Type Approval guidelines we published for public comment in June 2010 and a summary of the comments received is now posted at this link. The comments and opinions received during the consultation process were considered by ictQATAR during the finalization of the guidelines.
The new Type Approval Policy applies internationally recognized standards as the basis for the Type Approval process and simplifies the fee structure for type approval applications. The policy ensures that only properly type-approved RTTE is imported and used in Qatar and that RTTE does not cause damage to, or interfere with, the operation of telecommunications networks or other equipment.
The current Type Approval process will remain in place until the new Type Approval Policy is fully implemented, which is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2011. Learn more by reading the Type Approval Policy.