The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has postponed the implementation of its mandatory broadband equipment testing and certification rule. This regulation requires that all broadband gear imported into India—such as Optical Line Terminals (OLTs) and Optical Network Terminals (ONTs)—must be tested and certified for safety and security before being sold in the Indian market.
The decision to delay this rule comes at a time when India is engaged in trade negotiations with the United States, particularly around reducing tariffs. The U.S. recently imposed higher tariffs on Indian goods, impacting India’s export competitiveness. U.S. companies had raised concerns that the mandatory testing and certification process significantly increases the cost of selling broadband products in India.
Originally set to take effect from April 1, 2025, the new compliance deadline has now been extended to September 1, 2025—a six-month deferral. According to a PTI report, the government made this decision to avoid any friction during ongoing trade talks with the U.S.
An official statement from the DoT reads: “Subsequently, from September 1, 2025, such products shall be mandatorily certified for their compliance to ITSAR (Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements) under the ComSec scheme.”
In the broadband ecosystem, OLTs are deployed at the service provider’s end (e.g., Jio, Airtel, Excitel), while ONTs are installed at the customer’s premises. The testing and certification framework was introduced to enhance national security and ensure consumer safety. However, to maintain a smooth negotiation path with the U.S. on tariff relief, the government has temporarily deferred its enforcement.
