What is Costa Rica SUTEL Compliance Certification?

In Costa Rica, radio model approval requires certification from SUTEL(Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones — Telecommunications RegULatory Authority). SUTEL is the institution responsible for regulating the country's telecommunications market. Depending on the type of device to be approved, there are two certification pathways:

- SUTEL Free Band Approval (Radio Communication Equipment)

- SUTEL Mobile Terminal Certification

Overview of the SUTEL Free Band Type Approval Process

According to Resolution RCS-154-2018, SUTEL Free Band Approval applies to all radio transmitters and receivers that operate in unlicensed radio frequency bands (non-cellular) and are intended for sale in Costa Rica.

To obtain the Free Band Approval Certificate, the following steps must be completed:

1. Conduct type testing in an EU/FCC recognized laboratory.

2. Obtain an approval certificateissued by a recognized foreign authority (EU/FCC).

3. Register onlinethrough the SUTEL platform and upload all requiRED documents.

4. SUTEL issues the approval certificate.

Additional Notes:

- No product labeling is required for SUTEL certification.

- The certificate has no expiration date(valid indefinitely).

- Modular certificationis permitted:

- Devices sharing the same radio module can be certified together.

- If the radio module is the only part using the radio spectrum and the only difference between devices is their external appearance, modular certification is allowed.

- Series certificationis also permitted if the manufacturer provides a formal declaration stating that all related devices are identical in terms of brand, hardware/software versions, operating frequency, output power, field strength, and antenna gain.

Overview of the SUTEL Mobile Terminal Type Approval Process

According to Resolution RCS-358-2018, applicants seeking certification for mobile terminals or authorized devices must submit relevant documentation to SUTEL.

If the documents are issued abroad, they must be formally legalized.

To obtain a Mobile Terminal Approval Certificate, the following steps must be completed:

1. Obtain an approval certificateissued by a recognized foreign authority (EU/FCC).

2. Submit the required documentationto SUTEL.

3. The SUTEL Quality Directorate (DGC)reviews the information and provides access credentials for the SUTEL online platform.

4. The applicant uploads the technical documentationthrough the SUTEL website.

5. The DGC reviews the information and issues an “Oficio de Admisibilidad”authorizing testing.

6. The applicant selects an expertfor testing and sends product samples.

7. Testing is conducted by the selected expert.

8. The DGC evaluates the test results.

9. The DGC issues the certification.

10. The product must be labeled according to SUTEL requirements.

Mobile Terminal Product Labeling

Devices approved by the DGC must be identified by the applicant using the SUTEL approval mark, as follows:

- Code format examples:

- `0XXXX-20XX`

- `1XXXX-20XX`

- `2XXXX-20XX`, and so on.

The label may be physicalor digital.

If a physical or digital label is used, the applicant must comply with all labeling requirements outlined in Resolution RCS-358-2018.