Question & AnswerQ&A (NTC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 02-01-2001)
The purpose is to establish revised Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) interface standards and procedures for type approval and type acceptance to ensure operational compatibility, guarantee safety, and prevent harm to the public telecommunications network, users, and frequency spectrum users.
Type approval is the process where a CPE is tested and evaluated to determine its conformity to national CPE interface standards, ensuring it is safe and compatible for connection to the public telecommunications network.
Type acceptance is when a CPE lacking established interface standards is evaluated using foreign test reports and certifications, potentially granted a certificate for use on a case-by-case basis.
No, a CPE without such certification is not allowed to connect, except CPEs brought from overseas by individual subscribers under specific conditions provided in Section IIc.
Type approval is required for new types or models of CPE, modifications or alterations to previously approved CPEs, and changes in trade name or model number that require issuance of a new certificate.
No, type approval is not required for terminal equipment intended for leased line circuit connections.
Examples include Private Branch Exchanges (PBX), Corded and Cordless Telephone Sets, Alarm Dialing Equipment, Automatic Dialers, Facsimile Machines, Cellular Mobile Telephone Terminals, and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) equipment among others.
No, type approval only guarantees safety and interface conformity; network operators may perform additional interface approvals to ensure operational compatibility.
Applicants must file a request with relevant documentation such as import clearances, technical specifications, manuals, foreign test reports, manufacturer declarations, and pay the necessary fees.
The applicant may submit technical manuals instead of presenting the equipment for testing, paying half the fee unless further tests are required, in which case the full fee applies.
Yes, CPEs previously approved by network operators or legally connected before the Circular are considered grandfathered and allowed continued connection unless their interface parameters are modified.
The Circular takes effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation and remains valid unless amended or revoked.
All single connections to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) must be made through standard USOC RJ11C jacks and plugs.
Yes, all type approved/accepted equipment must be marked with a tamper-proof label produced by suppliers/distributors, subject to Commission clearance.
Yes, provided they undergo interface approval testing by the serving network operator, and comply with safety, rate, and technical requirements.