Singapore IMDA Equipment Registration Update: IoT, eSIM, Routers & Phones

Singapore IMDA Equipment Registration Update: New Rules for IoT, eSIM, Residential Gateways and Mobile Phones

Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has announced a package of changes to its telecommunication equipment registration framework, effective 27 August 2026. The update affects a broad cross-section of connected products IoT modules, M2M equipment, eSIM-enabled devices, residential gateways (home routers) and cellular mobile terminals and combines new technical requirements with a further shift toward fully online registration through the GoBusiness Portal.

While several changes simplify market access, others carry firm compliance deadlines that will lead to the removal of non-compliant models from IMDA's equipment registration records. Manufacturers, importers and licensed dealers supplying the Singapore market should review their product portfolios now.

Regulatory Background: How Singapore IMDA Equipment Registration Works

Telecommunication equipment sold or used in Singapore must be registered with IMDA before it is placed on the market. Registration is based on a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC), supported by test reports from IMDA-recognised or accredited laboratories, or by certification from recognised certification bodies. Only holders of a Telecommunication Dealer's Licence may register equipment.

IMDA applies a risk-based approach through three registration schemes:

Scheme	Typical scope
Enhanced Simplified Equipment Registration (ESER)	Short-range / low-power devices (SRD/LPD) and complex multi-line equipment; self-declaration with no fee
Simplified Equipment Registration (SER)	Cellular mobile terminals (LTE/5G) and broadband access equipment
General Equipment Registration (GER)	Higher-risk or new-technology equipment, such as base stations and UWB devices; requires recognised lab certification or IMDA evaluation

The August 2026 update builds on earlier 2026 revisions, including the publication of IMDA TS CMT Issue 1 Rev 4 (March 2026) and IMDA TS RG-SEC Issue 2 (June 2026).

Summary of Changes to Singapore IMDA Equipment Registration

1. NB-IoT and CAT-M Equipment Now Eligible for SER

Eligible IoT equipment, including NB-IoT and CAT-M modules, may now be registered under the Simplified Equipment Registration (SER) scheme, in addition to the General Equipment Registration (GER) scheme. Products must comply with IMDA TS IOT and meet SER eligibility requirements. This offers a faster and lower-cost pathway for many cellular IoT products.

2. Online Registration for M2M Equipment Using Overseas SIMs

From 27 August 2026, all M2M equipment whether operating on a local or an overseas SIM can be registered online through the GoBusiness Portal. This is a notable change for connected-product manufacturers using global roaming connectivity, which previously sat outside the standard online registration flow.

3. New eUICC Technical Specifications for eSIM Equipment

IMDA has introduced two new device-side technical specifications, dated August 2026:

• IMDA TS eUICC SMT – CE Device eUICC Subscription Management Technology for Consumer Devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets, wearables)

• IMDA TS eUICC SMT – M2M Device eUICC Subscription Management Technology for M2M Devices (e.g. industrial, automotive, metering and IoT equipment)

  
  

A companion Technical Specification for Provisioning of eUICC Subscription Management covers the network/server side. Applicants registering eSIM-enabled equipment must select the applicable eUICC specification in the online application and demonstrate compliance with it. The applicable track depends on the product's architecture consumer remote SIM provisioning (end-user pulled via an LPA) versus M2M provisioning (pushed from the server) not simply on whether the product "has eSIM". Earlier draft versions released for public consultation should no longer be used as the filing basis.

4. Residential Gateways Move to RG-SEC Issue 2

Residential gateways (RGs) and home routers complying with IMDA TS RG-SEC Issue 2 can now be registered online. Issue 2 replaces the 2020 Issue 1 specification and aligns residential gateway security with Level 2 of Singapore's Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme (CLS) for IoT.

• Registration under RG-SEC Issue 1 remains available until 7 December 2026.

• From 8 December 2026, new RG models must comply with Issue 2.

• Existing Issue 1 models may continue to be sold during the transition, but by 31 December 2027 all RGs sold for local use must comply with Issue 2. Non-compliant models must cease local sales and their registrations will be removed.

  
  

5. 2G Must Be Disabled by Default on Mobile Handsets

IMDA has reiterated the requirement under Section 5.2.3 of IMDA TS CMT that 2G connectivity must be disabled by default on cellular mobile terminals, unless deliberately enabled by the user. Registrations of non-compliant handsets will be removed from IMDA's records after 31 December 2026. This forms part of the broader TS CMT Issue 1 Rev 4 requirements, which also cover VoLTE support and Emergency Cell Broadcast.

6. Bands 26 and 28 Now Selectable for Cellular Mobile Terminals

LTE Bands 26 and 28 can now be selected in cellular mobile terminal applications. Applications that include Band 26 must be supported by FCC Part 22H and Part 90S laboratory test reports.

Certification Impact Summary

Product category	Change	Registration impact	Key date	Priority
NB-IoT / CAT-M modules and IoT equipment	SER now available alongside GER	Faster, simpler pathway for eligible products compliant with IMDA TS IOT	27 Aug 2026	Opportunity
M2M equipment with overseas SIM	Online registration via GoBusiness Portal	Clearer, fully online route for roaming-based connected products	27 Aug 2026	Opportunity
eSIM-enabled consumer devices	New IMDA TS eUICC SMT – CE Device	Must select eUICC spec and demonstrate compliance in application	27 Aug 2026	High
eSIM-enabled M2M/IoT devices	New IMDA TS eUICC SMT – M2M Device	Must select eUICC spec and demonstrate compliance in application	27 Aug 2026	High
Residential gateways / home routers (new models)	RG-SEC Issue 2 (CLS Level 2 aligned)	Issue 1 registrations close; new models must meet Issue 2	7–8 Dec 2026	High
Residential gateways (existing models)	Full transition to RG-SEC Issue 2	Non-compliant registrations removed; local sales must stop	31 Dec 2027	Medium (plan now)
Mobile phones / handsets	2G disabled by default (TS CMT §5.2.3)	Non-compliant registrations removed	31 Dec 2026	Critical
Cellular mobile terminals (Band 26/28)	Bands now selectable	Band 26 requires FCC Part 22H and Part 90S test reports	27 Aug 2026	Medium

What This Means for Manufacturers

Handset manufacturers face the most urgent deadline. Any mobile phone currently registered in Singapore that does not ship with 2G disabled by default risks losing its registration after 31 December 2026. Firmware configuration must be verified across all active SKUs, and SDoC declarations updated where required.

Router and gateway vendors need a two-stage plan. New models filed from 8 December 2026 must meet RG-SEC Issue 2, which introduces a materially higher cybersecurity baseline aligned with CLS Level 2. Existing portfolios have until the end of 2027, but security testing, firmware hardening and re-registration should be scheduled well in advance to avoid gaps in local sales.

eSIM products require an architecture review before filing. Compliance teams must determine whether each product falls under the Consumer or M2M eUICC track or both and prepare the corresponding technical evidence. Incorrect classification may delay or invalidate the registration.

IoT and M2M manufacturers gain flexibility. SER eligibility for NB-IoT/CAT-M equipment and online registration for overseas-SIM M2M products reduce time-to-market and administrative effort. Manufacturers with pending GER filings for eligible IoT products should consider whether SER is now the more efficient route.

Test evidence for cellular filings is expanding. Products declaring Band 26 must now include FCC Part 22H and Part 90S reports, which should be accounted for in test plans for Singapore-bound devices.

Timeline and Required Actions

Date	Milestone	Required action
6 Mar 2026	IMDA TS CMT Issue 1 Rev 4 published	Review handset requirements (2G disable, VoLTE, Emergency Cell Broadcast)
1 Apr 2026	Emergency Cell Broadcast support required for handsets	Confirm ECB compliance in handset declarations
Jun 2026	IMDA TS RG-SEC Issue 2 published	Begin gap assessment of router/gateway security against Issue 2
Aug 2026	Final eUICC SMT specifications (Consumer and M2M) published	Classify eSIM products by architecture; replace draft-based evidence
27 Aug 2026	Registration framework update takes effect	Use SER for eligible NB-IoT/CAT-M; file overseas-SIM M2M online; select eUICC spec in applications; add Band 26/28 where applicable
7 Dec 2026	Last day for RG-SEC Issue 1 registrations	Submit any remaining Issue 1 RG filings
8 Dec 2026	New RG models must comply with RG-SEC Issue 2	File new routers/gateways under Issue 2 only
31 Dec 2026	2G-disable enforcement for handsets	Ensure all registered handsets ship with 2G off by default; non-compliant registrations removed
31 Dec 2027	Full RG-SEC Issue 2 compliance for all RGs sold locally	Re-register or withdraw non-compliant existing RG models

Recommended Action Checklist

1. Audit all active Singapore registrations by product category (handsets, RGs, IoT, M2M, eSIM).

2. Verify 2G default settings on every registered handset SKU before 31 December 2026.

3. Conduct an RG-SEC Issue 2 / CLS Level 2 gap assessment for current and upcoming router models.

4. Classify eSIM products under the Consumer and/or M2M eUICC specification and prepare supporting evidence.

5. Evaluate whether eligible NB-IoT/CAT-M products can move to the SER scheme.

6. Update test plans to include FCC Part 22H and Part 90S reports for Band 26 devices.

7. Confirm your Singapore dealer licence holder and GoBusiness Portal access for online filings.

   
   

Conclusion

The August 2026 Singapore IMDA equipment registration update reflects two clear policy directions: faster, digital-first market access for IoT and M2M products, and stricter security and network-modernisation requirements for mainstream consumer equipment. For manufacturers, the immediate priorities are the 31 December 2026 handset deadline and the 8 December 2026 cut-over to RG-SEC Issue 2 for new residential gateways. Early portfolio review will help avoid registration removals and interruptions to sales in Singapore.