ONT and OLT products can have two separate compliance tracks: MTCTE technical certification against the applicable Essential Requirements, and security certification under the ComSec scheme. Per the NCCS notification dated 29 August 2025, mandatory ITSAR certification for ONT and OLT applies from 1 January 2026. Completing one track does not automatically satisfy the other. Verify the current official documents before testing or applying.
Are you manufacturing, importing or supplying fibre broadband equipment in India? ONTs sit at the customer premises, while OLTs sit on the service-provider side of a passive optical network (PON). Both are central to fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) deployments, and both attract regulatory attention in India.
Two sets of requirements usually need to be checked. The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) publishes Essential Requirements (ERs) and test guides under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) framework. Separately, the National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) runs the Communication Security Certification Scheme (ComSec), which assesses equipment against Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements (ITSARs).
This guide explains how to confirm what applies to your ONT or OLT, prepare documents and plan the process. For the wider framework, read our complete TEC Certification Guide. To see how products are classified, read which products require TEC certification and how to check the MTCTE product list. For other fibre-based categories, see our guide to TEC certification for optical network equipment.
ONT and OLT: What Needs Certification?
An Optical Network Terminal (ONT) terminates the optical fibre at the subscriber's premises and converts the optical signal to electrical interfaces such as Ethernet, voice or Wi-Fi. An Optical Line Terminal (OLT) is the service-provider endpoint of a PON, managing communication with the connected ONTs.
Both products are typically assessed as PON equipment. Applicability still depends on the exact product, its functions and interfaces, and the current notified product list and Essential Requirements. Do not assume that a certificate or test report for one device automatically covers a different model or configuration.
Official references: Official MTCTE Portal and TEC MTCTE page
MTCTE vs ComSec: Two Separate Tracks
Assesses the equipment against the applicable Essential Requirements, which can include EMI/EMC, safety and technical parameters. The exact combination depends on the product category and current TEC documents.
Administered by NCCS. Assesses security compliance against the applicable ITSAR for the product. Applications are made through the official portal.
Reviewing one track does not remove the need to review the other. Plan both together so that the testing scope, documents and launch timeline are aligned.
ComSec Security Certification Timeline for ONT and OLT
The mandatory date for ONT and OLT security certification has been changed several times:
- 6 December 2024: NCCS announced that voluntary certification would run until 31 March 2025, with mandatory ITSAR certification from 1 April 2025.
- 7 April 2025: The voluntary period was extended to 31 August 2025, with mandatory certification from 1 September 2025.
- 29 August 2025: In supersession of the earlier notification, NCCS notified that ONT and OLT products remain under Voluntary Security Certification until 31 December 2025 and, from 1 January 2026, must be mandatorily certified for ITSAR compliance under the ComSec scheme.
Public reports also indicate that NCCS has introduced group-based certification to simplify certification of customised ONT variants, and that the broader ComSec framework is being revised. These reports have not been confirmed against the official text for this article.
Important: The 29 August 2025 notification is the most recent official document on the mandatory date that we could confirm at the time of writing. Earlier articles that quote 1 April 2025 or 1 September 2025 are out of date. Before acting, confirm on the official NCCS and MTCTE portals that no later notification changes the applicability, procedure, grouping conditions or treatment of existing products.
Official references: NCCS notification dated 29 August 2025 (ONT and OLT), TEC NCCS page and the ComSec Scheme document
How to Check the Applicable Requirements
Step 1: Identify the exact product
Record the product name, brand, model number, function, interfaces (for example GPON, XGS-PON, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, voice) and hardware configuration. An ONT with a built-in Wi-Fi router is a combined device and may need to be reviewed against additional requirements.
Step 2: Search the MTCTE product list
Review the phase-wise product list, current notifications and the PON-related Essential Requirements on the MTCTE Portal. Search by technical name and by function, not only by commercial name.
Step 3: Review the Essential Requirements and test instructions
Check the latest PON ER, any parameter-specific testing instructions and the mandatory date. Do not rely on a previous version of an ER.
Step 4: Review the ComSec requirements
Confirm the applicable ITSAR, the current application procedure and any group-based certification provisions for your product variants.
Step 5: Confirm the applicant route
Determine whether the application will come from an Indian Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or through a foreign OEM's Authorised Indian Representative (AIR), and confirm the accepted laboratories and test-report conditions before testing begins.
Testing Requirements
The required tests depend on the applicable ER, ITSAR, product configuration and current notifications.
Covers the technical parameters set in the applicable PON ER and the interfaces present on the specific model.
Where the applicable ER requires it, the equipment is assessed against the specified electromagnetic compatibility requirements.
Check the safety-related requirements and acceptable evidence identified in the relevant ER and MTCTE procedure.
Security testing against the applicable ITSAR is part of the ComSec process and is separate from MTCTE technical testing.
Use the ER, test guide and ITSAR to set the test scope, and confirm the accepted laboratory route before testing starts.
Documents Required
The exact documents depend on the applicant, product and current procedure. Prepare the following where applicable:
| Document or information | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Applicant and company details | Establishes applicant identity and eligibility |
| OEM authorisation, where applicable | Supports representation of a foreign manufacturer |
| Product technical specifications | Helps establish the product category and test scope |
| Model and variant details | Identifies the equipment covered by the application |
| Bill of Materials (BoM), where required | Supports review of the product configuration |
| Test reports | Provides evidence for applicable technical requirements |
| Declarations and undertakings | Supports the application under the prescribed process |
| Security-related documents and ITSAR compliance details | Supports the ComSec security assessment |
Confirm the final checklist against the latest official MTCTE and NCCS instructions, and see our guide to documents required for TEC certification.
Step-by-Step Certification Process
Step 1: Classify the equipment
Confirm whether the product is an ONT, OLT or a combined device, and list every model and variant.
Step 2: Verify MTCTE and ComSec requirements
Check the current product list, PON ER, test guide, ITSAR, mandatory dates and notifications.
Step 3: Register the applicant
Follow the current procedure for applicant and OEM profile registration, including AIR arrangements where applicable.
Step 4: Prepare product documents
Compile the specifications, model details, BoM and other supporting documents.
Step 5: Arrange testing
Confirm laboratories and accepted test reports for both the technical and security tracks.
Step 6: Submit the applications
Submit through the official portal and keep product details consistent across documents. For the full workflow, read our TEC Certification Process Guide.
Step 7: Respond to queries and verify the certificate
Address any requests for additional information. After issue, verify model coverage, certificate type and validity in the official records, for example under Equipment Certified Under MTCTE.
How Long Does It Take?
There is no guaranteed timeline. Duration depends on testing scope, laboratory availability, documentation quality, the security assessment and any queries raised. Because ONTs and OLTs may need both technical and security processes, plan them together and confirm the process with the relevant authorities and laboratories before committing to a launch date. For cost components, read TEC Certification Fees in India.
Related Certification Checks
ONTs with built-in routing or Wi-Fi may also need review against other categories. See our guides to TEC certification for routers and Wi-Fi CPE and TEC certification for LAN switches. For our overview of the service, visit the TEC Certification Services page.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The ONT/OLT mandatory date changed more than once. Check the current notification.
Technical certification and security certification are separate. Plan both.
Always check the latest ER, test guide, ITSAR and notifications.
Verify the certificate scope and model-family or grouping provisions.
An ONT with Wi-Fi or routing features may be subject to additional requirements.
Confirm the requirements and accepted test-report route first.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is TEC certification required for ONT and OLT in India?
ONTs and OLTs fall within the PON broadband equipment framework, but applicability depends on the exact product and the current notified product list and Essential Requirements. Check the MTCTE portal for the product-specific position.
2. Is ComSec security certification mandatory for ONT and OLT?
According to the NCCS notification dated 29 August 2025, ONT and OLT products must be certified for ITSAR compliance under the ComSec scheme from 1 January 2026. Verify the current position before applying, as dates have changed before.
3. Is TEC certification the same as ComSec certification?
No. MTCTE technical certification and ComSec security certification are separate processes with different requirements.
4. Can one certificate cover several ONT models?
This depends on the applicable model-family and grouping provisions. NCCS has reportedly introduced group-based certification for customised ONT variants, but confirm the conditions in the official documents.
5. Where can I check current requirements?
Start with the official MTCTE portal and the TEC NCCS page, and review current notifications before making a compliance decision.
Need Assistance With TEC Certification for ONT and OLT?
Confirming the applicable technical requirements and the separate security-certification obligations early helps avoid rework and delays.
Rego Services Pvt. Ltd. can assist businesses with reviewing TEC and ComSec requirements, preparing documentation and coordinating the certification process. Visit our TEC Certification Services page or contact our team to discuss your product.
Official references
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes. MTCTE requirements, Essential Requirements, ITSARs, security procedures and mandatory dates may change. Verify the current official documents applicable to the exact product before making a compliance decision.
Related TEC Certification Guides
Each guide below covers one stage of getting your TEC certificate in India under MTCTE.
- TEC certification for optical network equipment — DWDM, OTN and PON equipment requirements
- TEC certification for routers and Wi-Fi CPE — IP router and Wi-Fi CPE testing and security
- TEC certification for LAN switches — L2, L3 and unmanaged switch requirements
- TEC certification process in India — the 10-step MTCTE application process
- TEC vs BIS vs WPC approval — which approval applies to your product
- TEC Certificate in India: complete guide — the parent guide to MTCTE
Reviewed by the Rego Services Compliance Team | Last Updated: October 2026 | Sources: TEC, MTCTE portal, Department of Telecommunications