Frequently asked questions

Type approval is the Nepal Telecommunications Authority’s confirmation that a specific model of radio or telecom equipment meets its technical standards. Customer premises radio equipment, such as phones, routers, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, needs it before it can be imported or sold in Nepal. Approval covers the model exactly as assessed.

NTA stands for Nepal Telecommunications Authority. It is the regulator for telecommunications in Nepal, set up under the Telecommunications Act, 2053 (1997), and it issues type approval for radio and telecom equipment.

That a specific model of radio or telecom equipment meets the technical standards applied by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). Without it, the model cannot be imported, sold or put into use in Nepal.

Radio equipment used at the customer’s premises needs type approval before it is imported or sold in Nepal. That includes phones and other devices that connect to mobile networks, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth products, IoT devices, routers and many automotive radio parts. Low-power, short-range devices are generally exempt.

Short-range radio devices with an operating range under about 15 metres are generally exempt. Some frequency bands are not permitted in Nepal regardless of range. Because the details change, send us the frequency bands and output power and we will confirm the current position for your product.

The Telecommunications Act, 2053 (1997) is the law under which NTA regulates telecommunications. Sections 13 and 14 give NTA the power to set and approve standards for telecommunications equipment. NTA’s type approval working procedure applies those powers to customer premises radio equipment.

No. Applications must come from a local representative registered in Nepal, acting under the manufacturer’s authorisation. A Nepali company can apply for its own products directly.

A typical application contains a letter of authorisation, a technical description, a datasheet or brochure, the user manual, internal and external photographs, test reports (RF, EMC, electrical safety and, where the device is used close to the body, SAR) and a signed declaration of conformity. Devices with a cellular radio also need a GSMA TAC letter. The exact list depends on the product, and we prepare the NTA application form from these documents.

Usually, yes. Existing FCC, CE or RED test reports from recognised laboratories can usually be reused, and reports from ISO/IEC 17025 accredited labs are preferred. Check that model numbers and frequency bands match across the reports and every other document, since mismatches are the most common cause of delay.

Usually not. NTA reviews existing test reports from recognised laboratories. NTA can ask for a sample if it needs one, in which case the applicant covers shipping and customs.

Closely related models that share the same radio design can often be grouped. Send us the model list and test reports and we will confirm how to structure the applications.

NTA’s working procedure gives two to four weeks from the time complete documents are received. We suggest planning four to six weeks, since public holidays and questions from NTA can add time. A complete, consistent document set is the biggest factor you control.

The first certificate is provisional and lasts six months, long enough to start importing and selling. Before it runs out, the holder applies for the periodic permanent certificate, which is generally valid for up to five years. NTA wants to see real imports or sales from the provisional period, so plan your first shipment early.

It is the first certificate NTA issues, valid for six months. Your products can be imported and sold under it. Before it expires, the holder applies for the periodic permanent certificate, generally valid for up to five years, with evidence that the products were imported or sold.

Possibly. Type approval covers the equipment model only. Depending on the product, your importer may also need import or usage permits from other authorities. We can tell you what to check.

Since 15 May 2023, NTA requires the IMEI numbers of mobile devices to be registered in its Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) before they are sold. Importers and sellers register devices after getting approval from NTA. For any product with a cellular radio, include the GSMA TAC allocation letter in the application.

No. TAFCOP is a portal run by India’s Department of Telecommunications. In Nepal, NTA’s Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) registers the IMEI numbers of mobile devices. Since 15 May 2023, cellular devices must be registered in MDMS before they are sold.

The equipment needs a clear, permanent and easily visible label showing the name of the manufacturer or the company responsible for importing it, and the type or model.

Changes to the brand, model number, hardware, firmware or functions that could affect compliance need a new approval before the changed product is imported or sold. Tell us about planned changes early and we will advise whether a new application is needed.

We are a Kathmandu-based team that does one thing: getting radio and telecom equipment approved for the Nepali market. Nepal requires a local company to apply for type approval on behalf of foreign manufacturers, and we act as that local representative, preparing and filing applications with NTA and keeping approvals valid afterwards.

Yes, and a large share of our work arrives this way. We work behind your brand, report to you rather than to your client, and agree fixed prices for recurring projects.

The product type, the model names, the radios inside with their frequency bands, and the test reports you already hold. That is enough for us to quote and to list the documents we will need.