The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) issued Circular No. 11/2021/TT-BTTTT dated 28th October 2021 promulgated National Technical Regulations No. QCVN 65:2021/BTTTT on radio access equipment operating on 5 GHz band. The standard specifies technical requirements for local network radio access equipment (RLAN 5 GHz).
The application roadmap is as follows:
- The Circular comes into force from 01st May 2022.
- From July 1st, 2023, imported and locally produced 5 GHz band radio access equipment terminals shall meet the requirements specified in QCVN 65:2021/BTTTT before being circulated on the domestic market.
- It is encouraged the local and overseas manufacturers and importers to apply QCVN 65:2021/BTTTT since the effective date of the Circular (01st May 2022)
- The QCVN 65:2013/BTTTT is replaced and ineffective from 01st July 2023.
Circular No. 11/2021/TT-BTTTT has set a relatively long transition/grace period for applying the QCVN 65:2021/BTTTT in comparison to other standards.
However, It is not clear that during the grace period, manufacturers and importers can apply for certificates of QCVN 65:2021/BTTTT or they shall use certificates of QCVN 65:2013 for the product inspection registration procedure. It is more likely the matter will be regulated in the new Circular listing mandatory products required certification and declaration of conformity, which will replace Circular No. 01/2021/TT-BTTTT.
In the former case, if the certificates against a new standard can be used, it can save time and fees for the renewal of certificates. In the latter case, any certificates against the old standards will be ineffective when the new standard comes into force (01st July 2023), and it is required to test and certify against the new standard.
With regards to the circular listing mandatory certification products, according to the MIC’s plan of developing regulations, a draft for public consultation will be released in the first Q1/2022, and the new circular will take effect in July 2022.
In addition, there are some major changes in technical requirements in QCVN 65:2021/BTTTT is as follows:
Type Approval impacted? Yes, Schemes: it is mandatory to certify radio access equipment operating on the 5 GHz band
Spectrum Impacted: Yes,
5160 MHz (new)
5340 MHz (new)
5480 MHz (new)
5720 MHz (new)
5740 MHz (new)
5745 MHz (removed)
5765 MHz (removed)
5785 MHz (removed)
5805 MHz (removed)
5825 MHz (removed)
Imports Impacted: Yes, 5G GHz band radio access equipment shall have to be certified against QCVN 65:2021/BTTTT prior importing into Vietnam
Standards Impacted: Yes, Circular 11/2021/TT-BTTTT, QCVN 65:2021/BTTTT
Product Impact: Telecom/Terminal Equipment