The Indian government has announced the extension of the “Pro Tem Certification Scheme” for telecom equipment. The scheme aims to draw 800-1,200 micro and small enterprises (MSMEs). This will also reduce certification costs and simplify compliance policies, enabling broader participation by global vendors.

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What Happens Next: Lower Costs, Easier Market Access

Under the revised scheme, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) have extended the temporary certification regime beyond January 1, 2026. It is now set to operate for the next two years. The extension allows manufacturers to sell products such as IP routers, 5G core units and Wi-Fi devices while formal security testing continues.

Companies can provide self-certification for most security requirements under the Indian Telecommunication Security Assurance Requirements (ITSAR) before completing full testing. Certification costs have been reduced, opening the door for smaller players.

The move further reduces the testing lab fee structure, providing support for startups. This includes MSMEs and women-owned firms. The market entry barrier will also be lowered following the move. For instance, costs that once ranged from ₹15-20 lakh per product category can now fall back to ₹3-5 lakh.

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Cautions to be observed on Security and Competitive Balance

Most of the industry bodies and MSMEs have welcomed the cost relief while anticipating growth. Some stakeholders are flagging the extension, which might dilute key security objectives and delay full certification from global vendors.

This could slow progress toward strong security standards and undermine India’s long-term cyber defence goals for telecom infrastructure.

Executives from domestic firms also highlighted the need to expand testing infrastructure and prioritise Indian companies with domestic intellectual property for such extensions to gain a competitive edge. Given the market access and localisation goals, global players have also voiced concerns about balancing security demands.