The Info-comm Media Development Authority (IMDA) of Singapore has issued a draft of Technical Specifications for Cellular Mobile Terminal (CMT). In general, the draft of Technical Specifications for CMT describes several important requirements includes general and technical requirements for CMT equipment to be used in Singapore’s pubic communication system. Therefore, in this article we will discuss all important notes from the draft of Technical Specifications for Cellular Mobile Terminals and its impact to Type Approval in Singapore.
Scope of Technical Specifications for Cellular Mobile Terminal
The draft of Technical Specifications for CMT equipment defines the minimum technical requirements for Cellular Mobile Terminal devices in Singapore, include:
- ITU IMT-2000 = radio interface technologies (E-UTRA FDD)
- ITU IMT-Advanced = radio interface technologies (LTE-Advanced)
- LTE-Advanced = technology series from 3GPP Release 13
- ITU IMT-2020 = radio interface technologies (5G NR)
The type of equipment under CMT category may include handheld, portable and vehicle-mounted equipment, and RF interface cards and modems.
General requirements for Cellular Mobile Terminal
Following are several general requirements need to be met for CMT equipment in Singapore, include:
- CMT equipment must be allocated a unique International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI).
- CMT equipment with keypad must be alphanumeric and the relationships between digits, letters and symbols.
- CMT equipment must be tested and certified with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) for SAR recommendations.
- CMT equipment must be performed EMI (emission) and EMS (immunity) testing for EMC assessment.
- CMT equipment must comply with the IEC 62368-1 standard and any lithium batteries it uses must adhere to UL 1642, IEC 62133 or IEC 60086-4 standards.
Changes on the draft Technical Specifications Cellular Mobile Terminal
The draft of Technical Specifications CMT has several changes, including 2G connectivity restriction, VoLTE requirements, Emergency Cell Broadcast and battery safety.
2G connectivity restriction
The 2G connectivity in the CMT equipment must be switched off in the factory default configuration, and the CMT equipment must not connect or attempt to connect to 2G networks unless explicitly enabled by the user.
Voice-Over-LTE (VoLTE) requirements
CMT devices designed for voice calls must support VoLTE technology. The VoLTE functionality must be enabled by default and must be compatible with VoLTE services provided by all mobile network operators in Singapore. The device must also be able to make emergency calls via VoLTE.
Emergency Cell Broadcast
CMT devices must be configured to support Cell Broadcast Service, including alert types, message IDs and device behavior.
| Configurations | Types of Alert | |
| Alert Title Behavior | ||
| Alert Title | SG Alert | Test Alert |
| Message ID | 4370 | 4380 |
| Message ID in additional language | 4383 | 4393 |
| Language filtering | On | On |
| Menu Setting | ||
| Enabled by default | Yes | No |
| Allow user opt-out | No | Yes |
| Sound and Vibration | ||
| Override “Do not disturb mode” | Yes | Yes |
| Alert volume | Max Volume | Device setting |
| Alert notification duration | 10.5 sec | 10.5 sec |
| Alert vibration | See 5.4.1.12 for vibration pattern | See 5.4.1.12 for vibration pattern |
| Alert tone | See 5.4.1.12 for audio attention signal | See 5.4.1.12 for audio attention signal |
Equipment and battery safety
The suppliers of CMT equipment must ensure that they only market products which are safe for the users in Singapore. Therefore, various type of safety testing must be conducted before they placing their products on the market.
The CMT equipment must comply with IEC 62368-1 (at least Edition No. 2) standard and any lithium batteries used inside the CMT equipment must comply with UL 1642, IEC 62133 or IEC 60086-4 standards.
Conclusion
The suppliers of CMT equipment (manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and other traders) may need to adapt with this draft Technical Specifications of CMT once its fully implemented. Besides, suppliers also must pay attention on providing the SAR information in printed form or in other appropriate form.
Therefore, it is important to keep updated with the final version of this draft Technical Specifications for Cellular Mobile Terminal. Dimulti will closely monitor if there is any update from the draft Technical Specifications of CMT. Feel free to send an email to info@narmadi.com if you have any questions about this new Circular.
