Radio Equipment Regulatory Roundup – Q3 2026
This blog was originally posted on 20th October, 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, ADHERENT
Table of Contents
July to September 2026 was a busy quarter for regulatory developments across global markets, including updated equipment authorization rules in the United States, amended harmonised radio standards in the EU, and refined technical specifications for low-power and short-range radio devices across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Below is a brief summary of the key compliance changes and spectrum allocation updates impacting telecommunications equipment worldwide.
Americas
Argentina: Postponed Application of the Telecommunications Equipment Registry, Resolution 843/2026
Issued on 26 August 2026, Resolution No. 843/2026 postpones the entry into force of the new Regulation of the Registry of Telecommunications Activities and Materials (RAMATEL), approved by Resolution No. 57/2026, from 1 September to 1 December 2026. Until that date, RAMATEL registrations will continue to be processed under Resolution No. 729/1980 and related existing rules. Registrations completed during this transitional period will remain valid for three years. Existing resolutions including Resolution No. 729/1980 and ENACOM Resolution No. 5424/2019 will be repealed from 1 December 2026.
Dominican Republic: Low-Power Devices 915-928 MHz Rule, Resolution 074
On 4 September 2026, the Dominican Republic Telecommunications Institute published Resolution No. 074-2026, which updates the operating parameters for low-power equipment/devices and ISM/ICM applications within the 915-928 MHz frequency band under a generic license regime.
Honduras: National Plan for Allocation of Radio Spectrum Frequencies, Resolution No. 003/26
On 2 September 2026, CONATEL published Resolution No. 003/26 expanding the licence-exempt frequency range for WAS/RLAN to 5925–7125 MHz and introducing mobile satellite service authorizations.
Paraguay: Homologation of Telecommunications Equipment, Public Consultation
On 24 July 2026, CONATEL submitted a regulatory impact analysis to update its framework for equipment homologation, aiming to address outdated regulations, non-digital processes, and weak market control.
Chile: Technical Standard on Short Range Telecommunication Equipment, Resolution No. 1247, 2026
On 10 July 2026, Chile updated its technical regulation standard for short-range radiocommunication equipment, streamlining technical requirements and removing unnecessary extreme edge-case frequency stability conditions.
USA: Equipment Authorization Program “Covered List”, Third Report and Order
On 11 September 2026, the US FCC released a final rule enacting its Third Report and Order to clarify the application of the “covered list” of manufacturers that are excluded from the equipment authorization program. In this document, the FCC takes further steps to strengthen its equipment authorization program against national security risks to the communications supply chain. The Commission closes a component-part loophole by prohibiting authorization of devices that incorporate logic-bearing hardware components produced by an entity identified on the Commission’s Covered List, where the device would itself be prohibited from authorization had the Covered List entity produced the entire device. The Commission also requires that any modification or permissive change to equipment by an entity identified on the Covered List undergo full certification, clarifies that its marketing rules reach any entity (including online marketplaces) that markets unauthorized equipment, and requires online marketplaces, subject to limited exceptions, to display a device’s FCC ID at the online point of sale. Finally, the Commission amends its definition of “critical infrastructure,” as used on the Covered List, and corrects two administrative errors in its rules.
Europe
EU: Harmonised Standards for Radio Equipment, Decision (EU) 2026/2003
On 7 September 2026, the EU Commission published an amendment to the Harmonised Standards for Radio Equipment under Directive 2014/53/EU, Decision (EU) 2022/2191. This amendment updates the EU’s list of harmonised standards that give radio equipment a presumption of conformity with the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU by amending Annex I to Decision (EU) 2022/2191.
Montenegro: Radio Equipment Rules Update
On 28 August 2026, the Montenegrin Ministry of Economic Development published a Pravilnik on Radio Equipment. It prescribes safety and health protection requirements, electromagnetic compatibility standards, technical documentation retention rules, and USB Type-C charging port mandates for portable electronic devices.
Ukraine: Radio Equipment Rules, Decree No. 343
On 8 September 2026, the Ukraine Communications Commission published Decree No. 343 to expand the 758-778 MHz band frequency allocation for IMT user equipment to 758-788 MHz. The amendment also adds a new allocation in the 865 – 868 MHz band for telemetry and radio remote control non-specialized short-range devices up to 25 mW.
Georgia: Radio Frequency Spectrum Allocation Plan, Resolution No. 4, 2026
Adopted on 30 July 2026, Resolution No. 4 updates Georgia’s National Frequency Allocation Plan in alignment with European and international standards.
Asia/Pacific
Japan: Use of Low-Power Radio Equipment, Notice No. 279, 2026
On July 30, 2026, the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) issued Notice No. 279, amending Notice No. 42 of 1989 specifying the applications, frequencies and antenna power for specified low-power radio stations. In alignment with Ministerial Ordinance No. 95 of 2026 concerning 800 MHz-band wideband specified low-power radio stations, Notice No. 279 establishes technical specifications for radio equipment operating in the 846.5–854.5 MHz band. Designated applications include telemetry, telecontrol and data transmission, with antenna power set at up to 20 mW or above 20 mW and up to 200 mW, depending on the assigned centre frequency.
South Korea: Technical Standard for Telecommunications Terminal Equipment, Draft Notice No. 2026-52
On 14 September 2026, the National Radio Research Institute proposed Draft Notice No. 2026-52 to refine the scope of regulation for IP cameras and exempt duplicate testing for information-security certifications.
Malaysia: IMT-2020 User Equipment, Draft Technical Code, 2026
On 15 September 2026, Malaysia issued a proposed revision to the IMT-2020 User Equipment technical code, adding 3300 MHz, 3600 MHz, and 4700 MHz bands.
Africa
Togo: Approving National Frequency Plan, Decree 2026/037
On 11 March 2026, Decree No. 2026-037/PC was issued approving the National Radio Frequency Band Allocation Plan (PNAF) in accordance with ITU Radio Regulations.
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Aaron Green
Senior Regulatory Compliance Consultant
Global regulatory compliance professional with expertise in wireless, IoT, electromagnetic compatibility, and automotive regulation.
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