Type Approval Regulations for Electronic Communications Equipment

The National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) of Sierra Leone sets out the official type approval regulations for electronic communications equipment (ECE).

The regulations apply to licensed communications operators importing ECE apparatus for use on communications networks, businesses or individuals importing ECE apparatus for sale and commercial distribution, and any foreign parties, such as manufacturers or agents, that intend to approve ECE apparatus for sale in Sierra Leone.

Following the regulations, ECE to be permitted for use or sale in Sierra Leone must be either type approved, or exempt from type approval.

The following types of equipment are allowed for import or sale:

Category NameExamples
Terminal EquipmentPDAs, Mobile handsets, POS, Tablets, Wireless Enabled Infotainment Systems, Telephone sets, IP Phones, Mobile Dongles, etc.
Short Range Radio DevicesWi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC Readers, RFID, Keyless Entry Cards, etc.
Core Network EquipmentBSCs, MSCs, BTS, PSTN Switches, Media Gateways, etc.
IT Networking EquipmentServers, Switches, Routers, Switches, Modems, PBX, Tracking Devices, etc.
Radio TransceiversRadio, Broadcast, Satellite Equipment, Active Antenna Systems, Receive Only Devices, Base Stations, etc.
Frequency Dependent Medical DevicesSealing generators

The following types of equipment are prohibited for import or sale:

  • Radio Frequency Spectrum Scanning Receivers
  • Military Communication Equipment
  • Telephone Voice Changing Equipment
  • Automatic Call Diverters
  • Radio-communication Equipment operating in GSM frequency bands except Cellular Mobile Phones or such other equipment approved by the Commission (e.g., SIM Box Detectors)
  • Radio-communication Jamming Devices operating in any frequency band
  • Analogue TV Transmitters (starting 2021)
  • TV sets with Analogue Tuners only (starting 2021)

The standards developed by the following standardization bodies are recognized in Sierra Leone:

  • Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB)
  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
  • International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
  • European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE)
  • Telecommunications Industry Associations (TIA)
  • American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
  • Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
  • Industry Canada (IC)
  • Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore

All ECE equipment in compliance with the relevant technical conditions are required to be affixed with a type approval label to be provided by NATCOM.

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