ictQatar issues final Type Approval Policy

A public consultation on ictQatar's proposed Type Approval Policy was held earlier in 2009, where concerned parties were given a chance to submit comments on the proposal.

The public comments submitted, ictQatar responses to these comments, and the final Type Approval Policy are all published on ictQatar's website www.ictQatar.qa.

Ahmad Sultan, Licensing Section Manager at ictQatar's Regulatory Authority, said:

"The aim of the new Type Approval Policy is to improve the level of efficiency and transparency of the current type approval process, while removing unnecessary administrative burdens on importers and manufacturers, and to better facilitate competition in the choice and supply of RTTE in the state of Qatar."

Type Approval is the procedure by which RTTE is authorized by ictQatar to be imported into or to be used in Qatar in line with the applicable rules and procedures. It involves verification of the equipment's compliance with the applicable standards and requirements.

The new Type Approval Policy applies internationally recognized standards as the basis for the type approval process and simplifies the fee structure for type approval applications. The policy ensures that only properly type-approved RTTE is imported and used in Qatar and that RTTE does not cause damage to, or interfere with, the operation of telecommunications networks or other equipment.

The published Type Approval Policy is one element of the new Type Approval regime. Next, ictQatar will develop the other elements of the new regime (including the Type Approval guidelines, procedures, forms and the lists of recognized technical standards and international Type Approval bodies) and will have discussions as necessary with relevant parties.

ictQatar will then publish the timeline for the implementation of the new Type Approval Regime, which is expected to take place in the first half of 2010. Until further notice, the current Type Approval regime will continue to be applied.