Regulatory Update: Cambodia’s Proposed Technical Standards for Telecommunications Equipment
Regulatory Body
The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC), in coordination with the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC), has issued a comprehensive draft consultation regarding new Technical Standards for various classes of radio and wired telecommunications equipment.
Summary of Proposed Changes
The proposed regulations aim to harmonize Cambodia’s technical requirements with international standards. The draft introduces several new Technical Standard (TS) documents that establish mandatory minimum requirements for equipment imported, manufactured, or distributed in the Kingdom. The primary focus is on ensuring network integrity, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), user safety, and efficient use of the radio spectrum.
The proposed standards are categorized as follows:
TRC-TS-WTE: Wired Telecommunication Equipment.
TRC-TS-CBS: Cellular Base Stations and Repeaters (LTE, LTE-A, 5G NR).
TRC-TS-CMT: Cellular Mobile Terminals (Handsets, POS, CPE).
TRC-TS-SRD: Short Range Devices (WLAN, Bluetooth, RFID, Alarms).
TRC-TS-IOT: Internet of Things (NB-IoT, LTE-M).
TRC-TS-UWB: Ultra-Wideband Devices.
TRC-TS-LMR: Land Mobile Radio Equipment.
TRC-TS-ITS: Intelligent Transport Systems.
TRC-TS-MAR & AER: Maritime and Aeronautical Radio Equipment.
TRC-TS-GMPCS: Global Mobile Personal Communication Satellite Terminals.
TRC-TS-DVB-T2-IRD: Digital Terrestrial TV Decoders.
Key Technical Parameters and Testing Procedures
The draft standards mandate compliance with specific international references, primarily from the IEC, CISPR, ETSI, ITU, and 3GPP. Key requirements include:
Electrical Safety: Adoption of IEC 62368-1 (minimum Edition 3) for audio/video and ICT equipment, using a hazard-based safety approach. Specific standards for lithium batteries (UL 1642 / IEC 62133-2) are also required.
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC): Mandatory testing against CISPR 32 (emissions) and CISPR 35 (immunity) for multimedia equipment, and ETSI EN 301 489 series for radio devices.
RF Performance: Equipment must operate within specified frequency bands (e.g., 3GPP bands for cellular, specific ISM bands for SRDs). Limits are set for Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP), power spectral density, and spurious emissions.
EMF Exposure: All radio devices must comply with ICNIRP Guidelines for limiting human exposure to electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz).
Labeling and Keypads: Devices with dialing capabilities must adhere to ITU-T E.161 for alphanumeric keypad layouts, including a tactile identifier on the "5" button. Mobile devices must possess a unique IMEI/PEI structured according to 3GPP standards.
Impact on Manufacturers and Stakeholders
Manufacturers and type approval service providers will face more stringent certification requirements:
Mandatory Conformity: Compliance with the "Minimum Requirements" checklist (Annex 1 of each standard) is mandatory ("M").
Testing Requirements: Manufacturers must provide valid test reports from recognized laboratories demonstrating compliance with the newly adopted international standards.
Module Integration: Modules intended for sale separately from a host system must be assessed with at least one representative host.
Operational Restrictions: Specific devices, particularly SRDs and UWB equipment, must implement mitigation techniques such as "Detect and Avoid" (DAA), "Listen Before Talk" (LBT), and Transmit Power Control (TPC).
Implementation Timeline and Feedback
The Prakas (regulation) is slated to enter into force 6 months after it is officially signed by the Minister. While a specific final date for industry feedback is not explicitly listed in the draft document, the TRC has indicated an intended implementation target beginning in April 2026. Stakeholders are encouraged to review the technical checklists provided in the Annexes of the draft standards to ensure their products meet the proposed criteria before the transition period ends.
