The Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Postal Services (TELCOR) has officially issued a new set of regulations under the General Law on Convergent Telecommunications, published in La Gaceta No. 215 on 18 November 2025. This marks a major modernisation of Nicaragua’s telecommunications framework, introducing updated requirements for licensing, services, and equipment homologation in alignment with international best practices.
Key Regulatory Highlights
New Type Approval (Homologation) Framework
One of the most significant developments introduced by these regulations is the establishment of a formal homologation (type approval) regime for telecommunications and radio equipment.
Under this framework, any device that transmits, receives, or emits radiofrequency (RF) signals — such as Wi-Fi equipment, IoT modules, mobile handsets, routers, and other wireless devices — must obtain TELCOR approval before being imported, marketed, or used in Nicaragua.
Manufacturers and importers are now required to submit technical documentation, test reports, and conformity statements as part of the application process. This replaces the earlier, less defined approval system, creating a clearer and more standardised certification pathway for telecom products entering the market.
Labeling Requirements for Homologated Equipment
The new regulation mandates that all approved (homologated) devices must carry a TELCOR compliance label to demonstrate conformity. While labeling is mandatory, TELCOR has stated that the technical specifications and format for the label — such as design, size, and placement — will be provided in subsequent guidance. Manufacturers should prepare to integrate this requirement once the detailed specifications are released.
Exempt Device Framework (Pending Publication)
The regulation also introduces provisions for an “exempt device list”, allowing certain low-risk or non-radio products to be excluded from the homologation requirement. However, as of now, the official list of exempt devices has not yet been published by TELCOR. Manufacturers are encouraged to monitor further updates to determine whether their products may qualify for exemption once the list becomes available.
A Unified Regulatory Approach
These regulations are part of a broader effort to consolidate and modernise Nicaragua’s telecom laws under a single converged framework that recognises today’s integrated communication environment — where telecommunications, internet, and broadcasting services increasingly overlap. The move brings greater transparency and predictability to the approval process and aligns Nicaragua’s telecom governance more closely with international standards.
Access to the official source (in Spanish) is linked below:
Impact on Manufacturers and Importers
This update directly affects all organisations that manufacture, import, or distribute telecommunications and radio communication equipment in Nicaragua — including Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, access points, IoT modules, mobile handsets, gateways, and other radio-frequency transmitters.
Products that previously entered the Nicaraguan market without a formal approval process must now obtain TELCOR homologation before import, distribution, or sale. Manufacturers and importers should also maintain accurate technical documentation and be prepared to provide supporting evidence of compliance when requested by the authority.
Steps to Ensure Compliance
Review your product portfolio and identify equipment that will require homologation under the new framework.
Prepare technical documentation, test reports, and declarations of conformity in advance of applying for TELCOR approval.
Monitor future TELCOR announcements regarding labeling specifications, fees, and the exempt-device list.
Coordinate with local partners or certification experts familiar with Central American telecom procedures to streamline compliance.
At C-PRAV, we closely monitor regulatory changes around the world — helping manufacturers understand evolving telecom, wireless, and cybersecurity standards across global markets.