Philippines NTC 77-81 GHz Movement Detection Rules

Philippines NTC 77-81 GHz: Movement Detection Equipment Rules Under MC 004-06-2026

The Philippines has moved a long anticipated millimeter wave rule from consultation draft to enacted regulation. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has issued Memorandum Circular No. 004-06-2026, dated 29 June 2026, amending Section 2 of the long standing Memorandum Circular No. 03-05-2007 and formally opening the 77–81 GHz band for Short Range Devices (SRDs) in the Equipment for Detecting Movement and Alert category, at a maximum of 50 mW EIRP.

For manufacturers, importers, and test laboratories handling 77/79 GHz automotive radar and industrial motion sensing hardware, the circular closes a long standing gap in the Philippine market access pathway. Products that previously operated without an explicit band allocation now have a defined frequency envelope and power ceiling to certify against.

The Philippines NTC 77-81 GHz Amendment at a Glance

The amendment revises the full table of permitted frequency bands and maximum power limits for the Detecting Movement and Alert SRD category the class covering motion sensors, radar, and comparable alert systems. The headline change is the inclusion of the 77–81 GHz range, the millimeter wave band already used internationally for short range automotive radar (77/79 GHz distance, blind spot, parking, and lane departure systems) and for industrial level and movement sensing.

Key parameters:

• Instrument: Memorandum Circular No. 004-06-2026 (amends Section 2 of MC No. 03-05-2007)

• Date of issuance: 29 June 2026

• Regulator: National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Philippines

• New band added: 77–81 GHz

• Maximum power for the new band: 50 mW EIRP

• SRD category: Equipment for Detecting Movement and Alert (low-power radar for radiodetermination)

• Legal basis: Act No. 3846, as amended (Radio Control Law); Republic Act No. 7925 (Public Telecommunications Policy Act); Executive Order No. 546, s. 1979

• Prior stage: Public consultation, with a public hearing held 2 June 2026

  
  

Amended Section 2 Full Band Table

The revised operating parameters for Equipment for Detecting Movement and Alert are as follows:

Frequency Band	Maximum Power (EIRP)
2400 – 2483.5 MHz	25 mW
9200 – 9500 MHz	25 mW
9500 – 9975 MHz	25 mW
13.4 – 14.0 GHz	25 mW
24.05 – 24.25 GHz	100 mW
77 – 81 GHz	50 mW

The circular specifies that these limits may not be exceeded by any function of the equipment or by any means so the caps apply across every operating mode of a device, not only its primary sensing function. The NTC also states that any prior circular, memorandum, order, or provision inconsistent with the update is deemed amended or superseded.

Legal Basis and Effective Date

The NTC issued the amendment under its authority pursuant to the Radio Control Law (Act No. 3846, as amended), the Public Telecommunications Policy Act (Republic Act No. 7925), and Executive Order No. 546, series of 1979. The Commission frames the update as a measure to keep pace with developments in wireless technology and to ensure wider, more cost effective access to the limited radio spectrum.

The circular takes effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation and its filing with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) of the University of the Philippines Law Center. Because the clock starts from publication and ONAR filing rather than the 29 June issuance date, the exact effective date depends on when those steps are completed confirm the published date to fix your compliance deadline.

What This Means for Manufacturers

The practical effect is a clear, defined legal pathway for millimeter wave radar and movement detection products in the Philippines, aligning the country more closely with markets such as the United States and India that already accommodate radar services across the 76–81 GHz range.

• A defined type approval route now exists. 77/79 GHz automotive radar, ADAS sensors, and industrial radar that previously sat in a regulatory grey area now have an explicit band allocation and power ceiling to certify against.

• 50 mW EIRP is a hard ceiling. Devices operating in 77–81 GHz for movement detection and alert must not exceed 50 mW EIRP in any mode. Validate hardware design, RF front end tuning, and test protocols against this limit before submission.

• Product scoping matters. The allocation applies specifically to the Detecting Movement and Alert SRD category. Confirm that your device's function and radiated parameters fall within that category and within the 77–81 GHz / 50 mW EIRP envelope.

• Documentation alignment is the differentiator. Manufacturers who prepare test reports and compliance documentation against the updated Section 2 parameters ahead of the effectivity date will be best placed to launch without market access delays.

• Reconcile consultation era records. If your team engaged during the consultation phase, note that this circular is the enacted successor to that draft. Align internal records to the final MC No. 004-06-2026 parameters rather than the consultation text.

  
  

Certification Impact Summary

Area	Impact	Manufacturer Consideration
Band access	77–81 GHz formally allocated for Detecting Movement and Alert SRDs	Confirm your device operates within this band and category
Power limit	Maximum 50 mW EIRP, applicable across all operating modes	Validate radiated power in test reports; retune if margins are tight
Instrument type	Type-approval / equipment-authorization technical parameter (not a spectrum-licensing instrument)	SRD approval obligations attach to the device, not to operator licensing
Applicable devices	77/79 GHz automotive radar, ADAS, industrial level/movement sensors	Scope your product portfolio against the updated Section 2 table
Legacy status	MC No. 03-05-2007 amended; inconsistent prior provisions superseded	Refresh compliance references to MC No. 004-06-2026
Standards basis	Devices must meet the applicable radio standards for the band	Coordinate testing against the relevant mmWave radar standard

Timeline and Required Actions

Date / Trigger	Event	Required Action
2 June 2026	Public hearing on the proposed amendment (consultation stage)	Completed no action now
29 June 2026	NTC issues Memorandum Circular No. 004-06-2026	Review the final parameters against your product
Publication + ONAR filing	Circular published in a newspaper of general circulation and filed with the ONAR	Confirm the published date to fix the effectivity clock
15 days after publication/filing	Circular takes legal effect	Ensure devices meet the 77–81 GHz / 50 mW EIRP limits before this date
Ongoing	Type-approval submissions to NTC	Align test reports and documentation to MC No. 004-06-2026; engage your partner early