Telecommunication Wiring Installer's Licence

The Telecommunications (Internal Wiring) Regulations 2005, which regulates the installation of copper cables, will be revoked and replaced by the Telecommunications (Wiring Work) Regulations 2024 on 1 April 2024.

Since optical fibre cables have replaced copper cables to become the main telecommunication wiring in homes, IMDA will stop regulating copper cables installation. The existing Telecommunication Wiring Installer’s Licences and Telecommunication Wiring Contractor’s Class Licences will cease to be valid from 1 April 2024 onwards, as installation of copper cables will no longer require a licence.

The new Telecommunications (Wiring Work) Regulations 2024 will regulate the installation of optical fibre cables only.

Installers who wish to provide installation service for optical fibre cables from 1 April 2024 will need to obtain a Telecommunication Wiring Installer Class Licence.  IMDA will accept applications for the licence from February 2024.

Qualifications needed and exemption

• Applicant for Telecommunication Wiring Installer Class Licence needs to complete an optical fibre course conducted by ITE, or other institutions approved by IMDA. Details of the ITE course is available at https://www.ite.edu.sg/courses/course-finder from 19 June 2023 onwards.  Details of other courses and course schedule will be published later.
• Experienced installer with 1 year of working experience for telecommunication service providers (“telcos”) or telcos’ contractors can apply for exemption to register for the licence without attending the training course.

Registration and fee

• Installer can apply for the Telecommunication Wiring Installer Class Licence starting in February 2024 via GoBusiness Licensing portal.
• Licence fee: $30

Contractors who wish to provide installation service for optical fibre cables must employ wiring installer who has been issued with the new Telecommunication Wiring Installer Class Licence.

Qualifications needed

• Applicant for Telecommunication Wiring Contractor Class Licence need to have licensed wiring installer(s) under your employment and furnish the details of these licensed wiring installer(s).

Registration and fee

• Contractors can apply for the Telecommunication Wiring Contractor Class Licence starting in February 2024 via GoBusiness Licensing portal. 
• Licence fee: $100

IMDA will be providing further details and updates on this webpage, including how to apply for the licences. Please see responses to frequently asked questions below. For further enquiries, please contact IMDA Contact Centre at 63773800 or info@imda.gov.sg.

Telecommunication Wiring Installer Class Licence

Q: I have an existing Telecommunication Wiring Installer’s Licence. Am I still licensed to install all types of cables?

A: All existing Telecommunication Wiring Installer’s Licence issued under the Telecommunications (Internal Wiring) Regulations 2005 will cease to be valid with effect from 1 April 2024. You will need to register for a new Telecommunication Wiring Installer Class Licence by 1 April 2024 only if you intend to install optical fibre cables. You will need to complete an optical fibre course conducted by ITE, or other institutions approved by IMDA, before applying for the new licence.

Q: I am installing optical fibre cables for a telecommunication service provider (“telco”) e.g. NLT, SingTel, Starhub. Do I need the Telecommunication Wiring Installer Class Licence?

A: Yes, you would need the Telecommunication Wiring Installer Class Licence for installing optical fibre cables even if you are working for the telco. You are exempted from taking the optical fibre course if you have 1 year experience in installing optical fibre cables with no customer complaints. You need to apply for the licence with a letter from your employer (telco or telco’s contractor) to certify that you have the required years of experience in installing optical fibre cables. We will provide more details on how to apply for the licences when applications are open.

Q: I have been installing optical fibre cables. Can I continue to do so until the Telecommunications (Wiring Work) Regulations 2024 comes into effect?

A: Yes, installers can continue to take on new jobs during this period before the Telecommunications (Wiring Work) Regulations 2024 comes into effect on 1 April 2024, while they attend the training course to qualify for the licence. To avoid disruption to consumers, installers can complete any outstanding works by the date that the Regulations take effect. However, after the Regulations take effect, installers will need to apply for Telecommunication Wiring Installer Class Licence to take on any new wiring works.

Telecommunication Wiring Contractor Class Licence

Q: I have an existing Telecommunication Wiring Contractor’s Class Licence. Am I still licensed to install all types of cables?

A: All existing Telecommunication Wiring Contractor’s Class Licence issued under the Telecommunications (Internal Wiring) Regulations 2005 will cease to be valid with effect from 1 April 2024. You will need to register for the new Telecommunication Wiring Contractor Class Licence only if you intend to continue providing installation service for optical fibre cables. You will need to have licensed telecommunication wiring installers under your employment, and you need to provide details of these installers in your application.

Q: As a contractor, I have been in the business of installing optical fibre cables. Can I continue to do so until the Telecommunications (Wiring Work) Regulations 2024 comes into effect?

A: Yes, contractors can continue to take on new jobs during this period before the Telecommunications (Wiring Work) Regulations 2024 comes into effect on 1 April 2024, while their wiring installers attend the training course to qualify for the licence. To avoid disruption to consumers, they can complete any outstanding works that had yet to be completed by the date that the Regulations take effect. However, after the Regulations take effect, contractors will need to apply for new Telecommunication Wiring Contractor Class Licence to take on any new optical fibre wiring works.