Short Range Device Radio Regulations: Q2 2026 Regulatory Roundup

This blog was originally posted on 21st April 2026, and was updated on 1st July 2026. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.

AUTHORED BY AARON GREEN, SENIOR REGULATORY COMPLIANCE CONSULTANT, COMPLIANCE & RISKS

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Key Insight

The second quarter of 2026 has been a busy period for global radio regulations. Building on the momentum from WRC-23, regulators worldwide are refining compliance frameworks to accommodate next-generation technologies—such as Wi-Fi 6E/7 and advanced radar systems—while continuing to simplify market access for manufacturers.

Introduction

This roundup reviews the pivotal shifts affecting short-range devices across multiple jurisdictions:

• Frequency Allocations: From the harmonization of Wi-Fi 6E/7 standards in Ukraine to the enabling of new automotive radar and V2X communication channels in India.
• Procedural Modernization: Japan is introducing streamlined certification for software-driven updates (OTA) to reduce dealer burdens, while the USA’s FCC has launched a fast-track priority review process for trusted test labs.
• Framework Development: Regulators are bolstering compliance infrastructure, evidenced by Cuba’s new technical authorization framework and Mongolia’s updated certification procedures for information and communications equipment.

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Asia

Japan

On 15 April 2026, the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications issued a draft amendment to the Ordinance on Technical Standards Conformity Certification of Specified Radio Equipment in Japan. The primary goal is to modernize the certification process for radio equipment such as mobile phone base stations and wireless LAN access points, particularly when updates are made via software (over-the-air or OTA).

The draft amendment seeks to address several logistical and administrative burdens currently facing certified dealers:

• Currently, dealers are often required to recall products to replace certification labels when radio functions change due to software updates.
• Mobile phone base stations currently require construction design certification for every specific combination of hardware and software, leading to repetitive and burdensome procedures.

To resolve these issues, the Japanese government plans to revise regulations in the following ways:

• New regulations will be established for application items, review items, and the public disclosure of certification information specifically for changes caused by software updates.
• The format for construction design documents will be updated to better reflect the actual configuration of modern equipment, such as base stations composed of general-purpose servers.
• The amendment aims to revise the necessary application procedures and the specific items reviewed by certification bodies to alleviate dealer burden.

Thailand

On 18 May 2026, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) of Thailand notified the WTO of a draft Announcement on a new technical standard for non-specific used radar equipment (draft reference NBTC TS 10XX-256X). The draft standard sets minimum technical requirements for radar equipment that operates in the 24.05 to 24.25 GHz band. It applies regardless of application type and covers fixed, mobile, handheld and portable equipment.

If finalised, manufacturers and importers placing this equipment on the Thai market would be required to:

• Comply with the radio-frequency requirements in section 2.1, including a maximum equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) of 100 mW (20 dBm) and the spurious emission limits set out in tables 1 and 2
• Comply with the electrical safety requirements in section 2.2, by meeting either IEC 62368-1 (2018) or Thai Industrial Standard TIS 62368-1-2563, or an equivalent standard no lower than these
• Comply with NBTC’s separate rules on human exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields, as cross-referenced in section 2.3
• Demonstrate conformity by self-declaration of conformity (SDoC) for equipment with e.i.r.p. up to 10 mW (10 dBm), or by Type A certification for equipment with e.i.r.p. above 10 mW and up to 100 mW

On 18 May 2026, the Thai Office of National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) notified the WTO of Draft Technical Standards for Non-specific Short Range Devices Equipment in 57-64 GHz band.

Objective: The technical standard specifies the minimum technical characteristics required for Non- specific Short Range Devices equipment operating in the 57-64 MHz band, with a maximum output power not exceeding 100 mW (20 dBm) e.i.r.p.

It applies to installations in road vehicles, rail vehicles, or land traffic and transportation infrastructure. This covers fixed, mobile, handheld, and portable devices.

Equipment must comply with one of the following standards (or equivalent/higher standards):

• IEC 62368-1 (2018) or its newer edition.
• TIS 62368 Part 1-2563 or its newer edition.

Equipment must conform to the human health safety standards and regulatory measures concerning radiation exposure established by the NBTC.

Declaration of Conformity: Manufacturers/operators must demonstrate compliance with this standard by utilizing the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) method, in accordance with the NBTC’s regulations on the inspection and certification of telecommunications equipment.

Mongolia

On 13 February 2026, the Communications Regulatory Commission of Mongolia adopted Resolution No. 24, which approves a Procedure for the Certification of Information and Communications Equipment.

The Procedure establishes a certification framework covering equipment placed on the Mongolian market, manufactured domestically, or intended for export. Equipment listed on the approved mandatory product list must be certified. All other equipment may be certified on a voluntary basis.  The mandatory is to be established by the regulator.

India

On 16 April 2026, the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) of India circulated for consultation a draft revised set of Essential Requirements for equipment operating in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands, issued under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) scheme. 

On 11 June 2026, the Indian Department of Telecommunications published rules for the unlicensed use of short-range automotive radar systems in the 77-81 GHz band to be permitted without assignment of radio frequency on a non-interference, non-protection and non-exclusive basis without a license.  The department also published rules for the unlicensed use of on-board units for cellular vehicle-to-everything communication as part of an intelligent transport system in the 5875-5905 MHz frequency band on a non-interference, non-protection and non-exclusive basis.

Europe

Ukraine

On 6 May 2026, Ukraine updated the General Conditions for the Use of Radio Equipment and Emitting Devices with regard to the conditions for Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 equipment operating in the 5945–6425 MHz band.  The update harmonises Ukraine’s market with the EU, providing for the use of low-power indoor equipment and very-low-power portable equipment, setting limits such as 200 mW EIRP for low-power indoor devices and 25 mW EIRP for very-low-power devices.  It also specifies permitted channel widths, including 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz and 320 MHz channels for Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 operation.

Africa

Ghana

On 10 February 2026, the Ghana National Communications Authority published a Draft Technical Document to introduce general standards and specifications for Terminal Communication Equipment (TCE) to be used on the Electronic Communications Network, which employs the Global System for Mobile Communications Technology (GSM), the ITU IMT-2000 (UTRA FDD and E-UTRA FDD) technologies, and IMT 2020.

Americas

Cuba

On 6 May 2026, Ukraine updated the General Conditions for the Use of Radio Equipment and Emitting Devices with regard to the conditions for Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 equipment operating in the 5945–6425 MHz band.  The update harmonises Ukraine’s market with the EU, providing for the use of low-power indoor equipment and very-low-power portable equipment, setting limits such as 200 mW EIRP for low-power indoor devices and 25 mW EIRP for very-low-power devices.  It also specifies permitted channel widths, including 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz and 320 MHz channels for Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 operation.

USA

On 15 May 2026, the US FCC adopted measures to create a fast-track priority review process for applications tested in Trusted Test Labs, i.e. test labs in the United States or in the territories of economies with Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) in which the FCC participates or trade agreements with conformity assessment reciprocity provisions to which the United States is a party (Reciprocal Economies) under the Pre-Approval Guidance (PAG) system.  

On 14 May 2026, the Panamanian National Authority of Public Services (ASEP)  promoted a technical and regulatory dialogue to gather stakeholders’ comments, opinions, and analyses. This feedback will support national decision-making regarding the allocation and future use of the 6 GHz frequency band (5925  to  7125 MHz.)  Because Panama has not yet legally authorized the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi 6E, the country’s regulatory framework blocks these capabilities. This has resulted in ASEP rejecting the homologation of over 220 devices.  ASEP intends to preserve and protect existing licensed operations of microwave and satellite links while introducing the new framework.

Chile

On 27 May 2026, Chile published a Resolution to facilitate the application of the QR codes so that the size of the QR code may be freely determined by the responsible party, ensuring in all cases the necessary conditions for its correct reading and functioning. However, it is recommended that the QR code comply with the specifications of the ISO/IEC 18004 standard.

Conclusion

In summary, the regulatory activity of Q2 2026 underscores a global commitment to both technical advancement and administrative efficiency. As regulators harmonize standards for high-demand technologies—such as the expansion of Wi-Fi 6E/7 in Ukraine and the enablement of automotive radar and V2X systems in India—they are concurrently implementing strategic improvements to compliance frameworks. From Japan’s streamlined software update protocols to the USA’s fast-track review process and Chile’s flexible QR requirements, these developments reflect a concerted effort to reduce manufacturer burdens while ensuring robust market entry and operational safety across the global landscape.

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