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China Telecom and Wireless Connected device China launch workflow

Decide which China network-access, radio, micro-power and mobile-terminal app requirements apply to a connected-device model, then control the evidence through release.

Assess each finished model and deployment separately. A network-access permit, radio model approval, micro-power exemption and mobile-terminal software review have different scope tests and evidence.

Author
Sorena AI
Published
Jul 5, 2026
Updated
Jul 24, 2026
Sections
4

Structured answer sets in this page tree.

Primary sources
9

Cited legal and guidance references.

Publication metadata
Sorena AI
Published Jul 5, 2026
Updated Jul 24, 2026
Overview

Start with the finished model and its intended China deployment. Check four separate questions: whether the model is listed telecom equipment that will connect to a public telecommunications network; whether it contains radio transmitting equipment that needs model approval; whether every claimed micro-power function meets the applicable catalogue conditions; and whether it is a mobile smart terminal subject to app-preinstallation controls. Complete every triggered track before release.

Section 1

Step 1: Build the model dossier

Create one controlled record for the exact model and production configuration. Name the applicant, manufacturer and production site; describe public-network interfaces and intended use; and list every transmitter, band, antenna, power setting, deployment environment, operating system and preinstalled app in the China build.

  • Record the network-access catalogue entry relied on, or the reason the model is outside the published catalogue. Public-network connectivity alone does not identify the catalogue entry.
  • Retain supplier permits, model approvals and test reports as inputs. Confirm that their models, radio parameters and permitted configurations cover the finished equipment and its intended use.
  • For a network-access application by an overseas entity, identify the agent in China that will act as applicant and retain the authorization and both entities' registration evidence.
  • Treat a hardware variant, antenna option, regional radio setting or software build as a separate review item when it changes a fact used in any scope or approval decision.
Section 2

Step 2: Run four routing decisions

The regulatory owner records a yes, no or unresolved answer for each route, the cited source and product facts, and the person responsible for the next action. A conclusion under one route does not decide the others, and an unresolved route blocks release.

  • Network access: a permit is required for equipment within the published telecom-equipment catalogue when it is connected to a public telecommunications network. Record the exact catalogue name and the product facts that match it; resolve an uncertain match before ordering permit testing.
  • Radio model approval: radio transmitting equipment operating in the 2400MHz, 5100MHz or 5800MHz bands must meet the current technical requirements and obtain model approval. The stated exceptions cover qualifying micro-power equipment and industrial, scientific and medical equipment that radiates radio waves but is not radio equipment. The 5100MHz band is limited to indoor use and excludes use inside vehicles.
  • Micro-power: the exemption applies only when the equipment is listed in and meets the conditions of MIIT Announcement No. 52 of 2019. Qualifying equipment does not need a radio-frequency use permit, radio station licence or radio transmitting equipment model approval, but the announcement's operating, interference and user-instruction conditions still apply.
  • Mobile-terminal apps: the rules apply to a terminal that connects to a public mobile communications network, has an operating system, and lets users install and uninstall apps. MIIT's 2022 interpretation identifies smartphones, tablets and wearables as principal examples and excludes industrial terminals, in-vehicle terminals for specific uses, and products that do not connect to a public mobile network.
Section 3

Step 3: Test, apply and approve

Prepare route-specific evidence against the current official checklist. For network access, materials must be in Chinese; foreign-language certificates and licences need Chinese translations. Apply online through the MIIT government-service platform.

  • For radio communication equipment, interconnection equipment and new telecom equipment, plan a network trial of at least three months on a telecommunications network in China or an MIIT-designated simulated test network. Retain the overall technical plan and the trial unit's report with the content specified in the service guide.
  • Retain the application form, entity records, applicant and manufacturing information, quality-system evidence, equipment description, and a report or product certificate from an eligible testing or certification body. Add the manufacturing agreement when applicant and manufacturer are different legal persons.
  • The management measures and service guide state a 60-day decision period for a complete, formally compliant application. MIIT's 2023 reform separately commits to a decision within 15 working days after acceptance unless a statutory reason prevents it. Expert review, when organized for the specified equipment types and technical material, is to be completed within 45 days and that time is excluded from the legal approval period.
  • For a covered mobile smart terminal, test that non-basic preinstalled apps can be uninstalled. Only one app for each narrowly listed basic function may be non-uninstallable. Confirm app disclosures, permissions and personal-information notices, and verify that an operating-system upgrade does not force an uninstalled preinstalled app to return.
Section 4

Step 4: Release and monitor changes

Release only when every triggered route has a dated decision, the production configuration matches the approved or tested configuration, and deployment conditions are documented.

  • Apply the approved network-access mark to equipment that obtained the permit. Since 1 January 2024, MIIT uses the new mark rather than issuing the old paper mark; the approved new mark may be displayed electronically, printed or attached by label. Keep the permit number, approved model, mark design and associated product data tied to the production record.
  • A network-access permit is generally valid for three years; the reform effective 1 March 2023 makes a trial approval valid for two years. If production and sale will continue, submit the renewal application three months before permit expiry, include a sample-test or product-quality supervision report from the preceding year, and return the original certificate.
  • Reassess technical or exterior changes to permitted telecom equipment because testing or a new permit may be required. A change to information stated on the permit requires a new permit.
  • For wireless LAN access points, broadband wireless access central stations or point-to-point stations, document whether a provincial radio station licence is required. The notice requires one only when the station is outdoors and EIRP exceeds 20dBm in the 2400MHz band or 30dBm in the 5800MHz band. Record both facts and the responsible provincial authority.
  • Reopen the app review when the preinstalled app list changes or an app has a major function change. The 2016 provisions require timely reporting to MIIT for those changes.
Operationalize the requirement

Prepare the China connected-device launch file

Connect the applicable China route, cited source, accountable owner, approval, product configuration and change history in one reviewable model file.

Primary sources

References and citations

Related guides

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