Prohibited Telecommunication Equipment

IMDA is responsible for regulating the use of telecommunication equipment in Singapore. The Third Schedule of the Telecommunications (Dealers) Regulations (the “Dealers Regulations”) stipulates the different types of Prohibited Telecommunication Equipment. Regulation 11 of the Dealers Regulations states that it shall be a condition of a licence that the licensee shall not manufacture, import, let for hire, sell, or offer or possess for sale any telecommunication equipment set out in the Third Schedule except where approved by the Authority and in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Authority may impose. Pursuant to Section 10(1)(f) of the Telecommunications Act 1999 (the “Act”), IMDA may require such offender (i.e., the dealers) to pay, within a specified period, a financial penalty of an amount not exceeding the higher of the following amounts:

• 10% of the annual turnover of that part of the person’s business in respect of which the person is granted the licence, as ascertained from the person’s latest audited accounts;
• $1 million.

Examples of known Prohibited Equipment are listed (non-exhaustive) below. They include equipment operating in the GSM Frequency Bands such as 880 - 915 MHz and 935 - 960 MHz, equipment that are not approved by IMDA and do not comply with IMDA regulations, as well as equipment that may cause radio frequency interferences or pose a threat to public safety. 

For legal requirements, please see footnote¹.