With immediate effect, the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore (TAS) is simplifying the type approval scheme and procedures, and introducing a new class licensing scheme for equipment dealers selling type approved ...
Singapore, 6 November 1998 | For Immediate Release
With immediate effect, the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore (TAS) is simplifying the type approval scheme and procedures, and introducing a new class licensing scheme for equipment dealers selling type approved equipment and equipment exempted from type approval. The simplified approval schemes and new class licensing are part of TAS' continuous efforts to regularly review and streamline its policies so as to increase convenience for suppliers and manufacturers and pass on the resultant benefits to businesses and consumers. TAS is also prohibiting the import and sale of radio-communication jamming devices to ensure the reliability and quality of service of the public cellular and other radio-communication networks are maintained.
General Approval Scheme for Single Line Terminal Equipment
Previously, all customer telecommunication equipment (including single-line terminal equipment) had to be submitted to TAS for testing or evaluation before it could be approved for sale and use. Under the new "General Approval Scheme", suppliers and dealers selling single-line terminal equipment1 are exempted from application for type approval by TAS. However, they must ensure that the equipment complies with the applicable standards and specifications published by TAS and is able to interwork compatibly with the public network2. Suppliers and manufacturers are required to make a Declaration of Conformity on a specified form for their models of equipment and keep copies of the forms for inspection purposes. As the equipment under the General Approval Scheme is exempted from Type Approval, suppliers and dealers should not affix or emboss the TAS Type Approval Label on it.
Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity (MDC) Procedure
Under the previous type approval requirements, manufactures and suppliers were required to submit sample units of equipment to TAS for testing or evaluation. The new MDC procedure will qualify certain telecommunication equipment3 for type approval based on a document evaluation process. Manufacturers and suppliers need only to submit a Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity Form together with test reports and/or equipment certification, photographs, technical documents and specification checklists. Submission of sample units is not required unless specifically requested by TAS.
Class Licensing of Equipment Dealers
With the simplification of the type approval procedures, TAS is implementing a class licensing scheme for dealers who sell only type approved equipment and equipment exempted from type approval under the General Approval Scheme. These dealers do not need to apply for individual licences. Instead, they will be deemed to have been granted the Dealer's Class Licence. They will have to comply with the licence conditions (e.g. not to sell non-type approved equipment, comply with TAS standards and specifications published from time to time) and pay a registration fee of $50 for 5 years. Dealers who sell non type approved equipment will continue to be individually licensed at an annual fee of $400. Existing Class 'A' and 'B' telecommunication dealers4 will be converted to the Dealer's Class and Individual licences respectively.
The implementation of the class licensing scheme will result in total annual savings of $70,000 in licence fees for the Class 'A' dealers. These changes are part of TAS' continual effort to meet the needs of consumers and equipment suppliers in an environment of rapid technological advances and competitive market developments. The aim is to increase convenience for suppliers and manufacturers, as well as help them cut time and costs in bringing their products to the market.
Prohibited Equipment
TAS is prohibiting the import and sale of radio-communication jamming devices5, operating in any frequency band, under the Telecommunication (Dealer's) (Amendment No2) Regulations 1998. Such equipment is capable of jamming the signals and affects the grade of service of the public cellular and other radio-communication networks in Singapore. Dealers are advised not to import such equipment and to immediately export any equipment in their possession. It is an offence for anyone to possess or sell the equipment and the penalty is a fine of $5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both.
Details of the Schemes
The simplified schemes and the prohibited equipment have been gazetted under the Telecommunication (Dealers)(Amendment No.2) Regulations 98. Details of the General Approval Scheme, Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity (MDC) Procedure and licensing of equipment dealers are available under the Standards & Type Approval section of this website.
Notes to Editor:
1. Single-line terminal equipment exempted from application to TAS for type approval under the "General Approval Scheme" include telephones, modems, fax machines, autodiallers, auto-answering sets, security alarm systems, EFTPOS/CCAT, caller identification equipment, telex equipment, digital leased circuit equipment etc.
2. The list of standards and specifications are available under Standards & Type Approval section.
3. Telecommunication equipment in the MDC procedure include Low Power Radio Devices, Analogue Cordless Telephones, Wireless LAN Transceivers, Digital Cellular Mobile Phones, DECT and PHS equipment, and line terminal equipment such as ATM Equipment, PABX, Key Telephone System, Multi-Line System and Voice Messaging System.
4. Previously, dealers who sell type approved equipment need to apply for a Class 'A' dealers licence and dealers who sell both type approved and non-approved equipment need to apply for a Class 'B' dealer's licence. The old licence fees for Class 'A' and Class 'B' telecommunication dealers are $60 and $400 per year respectively.
5. Examples of radio-communication jamming equipment include Wave Hall Hyper 30 and C-Guard Cellular Firewall.
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