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QuestionChina

Is radio management separate from network access in China? Direct answer

Yes. Network access licensing asks whether a listed telecom product may connect to a public telecom network. Radio management asks whether a transmitter and its use comply with frequency, equipment and station rules.

Run both checks on the finished model and deployment. Model approval, a micro-power exception, and a are also distinct decisions within the radio track.

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Author
Sorena AI
Published
Jul 5, 2026
Updated
Oct 15, 2026
2 sections3 primary sources
Overview

Yes. China network access and radio management are separate. Network access licensing asks whether the finished product is listed telecom equipment that will connect to a public telecom network. Radio management asks whether its transmitters, frequency bands, power, antenna design and actual deployment comply with radio rules. The same product can need both approvals, only one, or neither. Within radio management, and a are separate decisions.

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2 of 2 questions
Question 1

Short answer

For network access, identify the public-network connection and match the finished product to MIIT's current equipment directory. A permit or trial approval belongs to the listed telecom model, not automatically to every device containing an approved communications module.

For radio equipment, identify every transmitting function, frequency range, power, antenna and intended use. Radio transmitting equipment generally needs model approval unless a specific rule applies, such as a device that both appears in and complies with the MIIT catalogue. That exception does not remove product-quality, interference, instruction or other regulatory duties.

  • Network access output: directory classification, applicant, test and application file, permit or trial approval, mark and model-change controls.
  • Radio equipment output: transmitter and band inventory, technical-rule assessment, model approval or exact micro-power catalogue rationale, and antenna or power-change controls.
  • Deployment output: a separate decision based on location, indoor or outdoor use, station type and radiated power.
  • Keep the identifiers and approved configurations separate. One approval is not evidence that the other route is satisfied.
Question 2

Do not combine equipment and deployment decisions

A addresses the equipment design. A addresses setting up and using a station in a particular deployment. Under the 2021 rules for the 2400MHz and 5800MHz bands, a station licence is required for a wireless LAN access point, broadband wireless access centre station or point-to-point station only when it is outdoors and exceeds the stated equivalent isotropically radiated power threshold: more than 20 dBm at 2400MHz or more than 30 dBm at 5800MHz.

Other equipment in the 2400MHz, 5100MHz and 5800MHz bands does not need a station licence under that notice, but it still must meet the applicable technical and use rules. The 5100MHz band is indoor-only, excluding use in automobiles, and stations using it must remain at least 3 km from lawfully used same-band satellite radiodetermination or fixed-satellite earth stations operating in the space-to-Earth direction.

  • Product file: finished-model block diagram, module integration, transmit bands, output power, antenna type and gain, firmware controls, model approval or micro-power rationale.
  • Network file: public-network purpose, current MIIT directory classification, permit status and approved model configuration.
  • Deployment file: station type, coordinates, indoor or outdoor setting, EIRP calculation, satellite-earth-station distance where relevant, station licence decision and operator.
  • Change trigger: reassess hardware, firmware, antenna, power, band, network function or deployment changes against all three records.
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Primary sources

References and citations

MIIT Notice on 2400MHz, 5100MHz and 5800MHz Radio Management
wap.miit.gov.cn3 citations
Referenced sections
  • Official band, equipment model-approval, station-licensing, interference and deployment rules.
  • Separates equipment model approval from station licensing and states the band-specific equipment, antenna and deployment rules.
  • Clauses 2-7 establish indoor-use, model-approval, outdoor power-threshold and satellite-earth-station-distance rules.
MIIT Telecom Equipment Network Access Licensing Service Guide
jwxkwap.miit.gov.cn3 citations
Referenced sections
  • Official network-access scope, directory, application and approval guidance.
  • Defines the public-network and equipment-directory scope of telecom equipment network access licensing.
  • Supports the separate network-access classification and approved-model evidence track.
MIIT Announcement 2019 No. 52 on Micro-Power Short-Range Radio Equipment
wap.miit.gov.cn2 citations
Referenced sections
  • Official catalogue-based exception and the conditions that continue to apply to qualifying micro-power equipment.
  • Provides the catalogue-based exception from frequency permission, station licensing and equipment model approval, subject to exact catalogue and technical compliance.

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