Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has released an updated version of its technical specification governing cellular mobile terminals.
The new Technical Specification for Cellular Mobile Terminal (IMDA TS CMT Issue 1 Rev 4) was officially published on March 6, 2026, introducing updated compliance requirements for mobile handset registration and future regulatory enforcement.
Manufacturers planning to place mobile phones on the Singapore market should review the updated specification carefully to ensure continued compliance with IMDA equipment registration requirements.
Key Regulatory Changes Introduced In IMDA TS CMT Issue 1 Rev 4
The updated specification includes new enforcement timelines related to legacy network support and emergency broadcast capabilities.
2G Disabled By Default
Section 5.2.3 of the specification requires that 2G functionality must be disabled by default on all mobile handsets.This requirement will be enforced starting December 31, 2026.
The change aligns with Singapore’s ongoing transition away from legacy mobile networks and encourages the adoption of more modern cellular technologies.
Emergency Cell Broadcast Support
Section 5.4 introduces a requirement for Emergency Cell Broadcast capability on all mobile handsets.
This requirement will take effect on April 1, 2026, ensuring devices sold in Singapore are capable of receiving emergency public safety alerts transmitted through cellular broadcast systems.
End-of-Life (EOL) Device Exemption
Both of the above requirements exclude devices that will reach End of Life (EOL) prior to the enforcement dates.IMDA defines EOL as the point at which the product is no longer being sold in the Singapore market.
Updates To Mobile Handset Registration Requirements
In addition to the technical changes, IMDA has also updated the Statement of Compliance used during handset registration.
The revised declaration now incorporates confirmation of:
- The new 2G disabling requirement
- Emergency Cell Broadcast capability
- Existing VoLTE compliance requirements
Manufacturers must include the updated declaration when submitting mobile handset registrations through IMDA’s online equipment registration system.