Summary of Lebanon Decision No. 3/2026: Amendments to the Equipment Type Approval Regulation
Scope and Impact
Decision No. 3/2026, issued on January 14, 2026, by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Lebanon, amends specific provisions of the existing Type Approval Regulation. The primary focus of this regulation is to update the classification of modern radio and telecommunications equipment, revise administrative fees, and clarify technical compliance requirements for Network Infrastructure Equipment (NIE).
Technical Specifications and Permitted Technologies
The regulation updates the classification of devices based on their integrated technologies. Key technical parameters and technologies highlighted include:
Mobile Technologies: GSM, 2G, 4G, and 5G.
Short-Range and Wireless Data: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Near Field Communication (NFC).
Internet of Things (IoT): Specific inclusion of IoT-enabled devices and eSIM technology.
Legacy Wireless: Cordless telephones (non-digital) operating in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands.
Other Radio Applications: Amateur radio equipment, wireless microphones, drones, and wireless surveillance cameras.
Device Categorization
The regulation modifies Annex 1 of the Type Approval Regulation, categorizing devices as follows:
Category 0: Cellular mobile devices (2G/GSM).
Category 1: Analog single-line equipment connected to the public network, analog modems, and answering machines.
Category 2: Wireless microphones, remote measuring devices, commercial amateur radio equipment, and older cordless phones (900/1800 MHz).
Category 3: High-complexity devices including Smartphones (supporting 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, eSIM, and IoT), VoIP devices, digital PBX systems, drones, wireless surveillance cameras, and Primary Rate Interface (PRI) equipment.
Technical Compliance and Testing
Network Infrastructure Equipment (NIE)—which includes telephone exchanges, cellular base stations, and mobile switching centers—must comply with the technical specifications and recommendations issued by the TRA. Compliance is mandatory for equipment used by service providers to ensure network integrity and interoperability. Manufacturers must ensure that equipment conforms to the standards specified in the relevant service licenses or TRA technical directives.
Labeling Requirements
The regulation specifies a mandatory marking requirement for approved radio and telecommunications equipment. Devices must bear the "TRA Lebanon Type Approved" label. The label includes the TRA logo, the country name "Lebanon," and the text "Type Approved" to signify conformity with national regulations.
Regulatory Modifications
This decision modifies Decision No. 5/2009 (Equipment Type Approval Regulation). Specifically, it replaces or amends Articles 3, 33, 37, and Annex 1 of the original regulation to reflect updated technology categories, fee structures, and labeling designs.
Administrative Fees
The regulation establishes updated fees for type approval applications in Lebanese Pounds (LBP):
Model 1 Approval: 15,000,000 LBP
Model 2 Approval: 25,000,000 LBP
Model 3 Approval: 41,000,000 LBP
RTTE Renewal (Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment): 8,500,000 LBP
