New Telecommunications Equipment Regime

Resolution 57/2026, published by the Argentine Communications Agency (ENACOM) in the Official Gazette on February 26, 2026, restructures the telecommunications equipment homologation regime in Argentina. The Resolution has been in force since February 27, 2026. The purpose of the new regime is to enhance sector competitiveness, reduce costs, encourage investment, and promote technological innovation.

Among other measures, the Resolution approved:
 

1. Regulation of the Registry of Telecommunications Activities and Materials (RAMATEL), thus establishing the continuity of the registry of activities applicable to manufacturers, importers, and local representatives, and of telecommunications materials. The Resolution distinguishes between Class A materials (consumer products) and Class B materials (professional-use equipment).

This regulation will enter into force on September 1, 2026, and will have a three-year transition period (until February 26, 2029) to allow materials registered under the previous framework to comply with the new requirements. Existing registrations in the registry of activities will remain valid and it will not be necessary to renew them.

2. Regulation of the Registry of Telecommunications Equipment Certification Agencies. The Resolution creates a mandatory registry for any entity wishing to carry out equipment certification activities for homologation purposes before ENACOM and establishes the requirements that such entities must meet.

3. Regulation of the Registry of Telecommunications Materials Testing Laboratories. The Resolution creates a registry for laboratories that issue test reports used in the homologation process before ENACOM.

The Resolution also introduced several key amendments, including:
 

1. Registration procedure based on a certificate of conformity: Materials will be registered with certificates issued by accredited certification agencies, supported by reports from authorized laboratories. ENACOM will grant homologation immediately if the requirements are met.
2. Market-surveillance system: For Class A equipment, certification agencies will conduct controls every two years, and ENACOM may cancel homologation if the certificate is withdrawn.
3. No expiration of registrations: The Resolution removes the requirement for periodic renewals and implements instead a continuous certification and surveillance scheme.
4. Homologation of product families: Applicants may now register individual models or groups of products with similar technical characteristics.
5. Traceability obligations for e-commerce: Equipment offered through web portals must display the RAMATEL registration number.
6. Supervision and coordination with commercial authorities: The new regime strengthens regulatory oversight and sanctions, including the possibility of suspending or cancelling registrations for non-compliance.
7. Scope of commercialization: Only materials registered in RAMATEL may be commercialized in Argentina.
8. Exemptions: Refurbished, used, handcrafted, sample, or experimental-use materials will be exempt from approval, but must comply with applicable regulations.

The Resolution also approves an initial list of equipment subject to registration, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, modems, cellular modules, in-vehicle multimedia platforms, smartwatches, sensors used in Internet of Things (IoT) applications, devices with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth interfaces, and devices operating under LoRa or other technologies using frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS). This list will be updated and published on ENACOM’s website.

ENACOM will determine administrative fees applicable to the relevant registrations.

Finally, current labeling requirements remain in force to ensure proper equipment identification.