The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has issued updated technical specifications for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, ensuring compliance with national and international standards for safety, efficiency, and security.

1. Purpose and Scope:

The specifications apply to IoT devices using Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies, specifically those using Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and Category M1 technologies from 3GPP Release 13 onwards.

2. Core Technical Requirements

• Devices can be powered by AC (220V-240V, 50 Hz ± 2%) or DC (batteries supporting up to 10 years of operation).

• Support for Extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX) and Power Saving Mode (PSM) to maximize battery life.

• Compliance with ICNIRP guidelines and ITU-T Rec. K.52.

• SAR testing as per IEC/IEEE 62209-1528:2020 and EN 50360 standards.

• Conformance to ETSI EN 301 489-1 and ETSI EN 301 489-24 for IMT-2000 systems.

  
  

Equipment Safety

• Safety testing as per IEC 60950-1 or IEC 62368-1.

• Base Stations must comply with IEC 60215 for radio transmitting equipment safety.

  
  

Operating Frequency Devices must operate within these key frequency bands:

• Downlink (BS Transmit/UE Receive): 758-788 MHz, 791-821 MHz, 925-960 MHz, 1805-1880 MHz, 2110-2170 MHz, 2300-2400 MHz, 2570-2620 MHz, 2620-2690 MHz, 3300-3600 MHz.

• Uplink (BS Receive/UE Transmit): 703-733 MHz, 832-862 MHz, 880-915 MHz, 1710-1785 MHz, 1920-1980 MHz, 2300-2400 MHz, 2570-2620 MHz, 2500-2570 MHz, 3300-3600 MHz.

  
  

3. Compliance Standards

Devices must meet the following key standards:

1. ETSI TS 136 521-1: LTE; User Equipment (UE) conformance testing.

2. ETSI TS 136 101: LTE; UE radio transmission and reception.

3. ETSI EN 301 489-1 & EN 301 489-24: EMC standards for radio equipment.

4. IEC 62368-1: Safety requirements for technology equipment.

5. IEC/IEEE 62209-1528:2020: SAR testing standards for wireless devices.

6. EN 50360: SAR product compliance.

7. IEC 60215: Safety for radio transmitting equipment.

8. ETSI TS 136 141 and TS 137 141: Conformance testing for LTE Base Stations.

9. ETSI TS 136 104 and TS 137 104: BS radio transmission and reception.

10. ITU-T X.1364: Security framework for narrowband IoT.

    
    

4. Security and Testing

• IoT devices must meet security standards under ITU-T Rec. X.1364 and ITU-T Y.4806.

• Testing and certification are required to ensure compliance with the specified standards and national regulations.

  
  

For the latest updates on these evolving specifications and regulatory requirements in the rapidly advancing telecommunications sector, reach out to our regulatory experts at info@nanotechsol.com. Access the official publication for this announcement here.