Manufacturers and suppliers evaluating equipment for Hong Kong should review three revised specifications covering ISM equipment, LTE base stations, and FDD repeaters. The August 2026 editions of Hong Kong radio standards HKCA 1007, HKCA 1056, and HKCA 1072 clarify equipment scope and set out applicable technical and evaluation requirements.
Prescribed under Section 32D of the Telecommunications Ordinance (Cap. 106), these specifications address different equipment categories. Changes include explicit references to NB-IoT base stations and additional 3GPP testing alternatives in the cellular specifications.
What changed in Hong Kong radio standards?
HKCA 1007 Issue 6: ISM equipment
HKCA 1007 covers equipment that intentionally generates and emits radio waves for industrial, scientific, and medical purposes only. Its amendment table identifies scope alignment with the Industrial, Scientific and Medical Electronic Machine (ISMEM) licence.
The specification requires compliance with CISPR 11, which addresses radio-frequency disturbance characteristics, limits, and measurement methods. Evaluation must follow the procedures in that standard.
Additionally, Issue 6 moves evaluation requirements into Clause 3 and adds a reference section. Clause 1 lists the designated ISM frequency ranges for Hong Kong.
HKCA 1056 Issue 3: FDD base stations and repeaters
HKCA 1056 explicitly includes E-UTRA FDD base stations, E-UTRA FDD base stations with NB-IoT, standalone NB-IoT base stations, and E-UTRA FDD repeaters. The amendment table describes the NB-IoT inclusion as a clarification.
Moreover, the revised specification moves the updated operating-band list to Clause 1 and introduces these alternatives for the relevant requirements:
- ETSI EN 301 908-1 or 3GPP TS 36.113.
- ETSI EN 301 908-14 or 3GPP TS 36.141.
- ETSI EN 301 908-15 or 3GPP TS 36.143 for FDD repeaters.
However, the 3GPP routes exclude test items that the corresponding ETSI standards do not cover. Equipment must satisfy all relevant requirements for its category.
HKCA 1072 Issue 2: TDD base stations
HKCA 1072 similarly clarifies coverage of E-UTRA TDD, E-UTRA TDD with NB-IoT, and NB-IoT base stations. Its operating bands are 2300–2390 MHz, 3300–3400 MHz, and 3400–3600 MHz.
The specification offers 3GPP TS 36.113 and TS 36.141 as alternatives to the corresponding ETSI requirements, subject to the same test-item exclusion.
Furthermore, Clause 2.2 requires equipment operating in 3400–3600 MHz to limit unwanted emissions in 3700–4200 MHz to −52 dBm/MHz.
Certification and licensing considerations
Each specification states that suppliers or manufacturers shall apply for certification under the Hong Kong Telecommunications Equipment Evaluation and Certification (HKTEC) Scheme. They reference OFCA I 421 for scheme details and OFCA I 401 for certification application procedures.
Separately, their forewords explain that possession or use requires an appropriate licence unless a statutory exemption applies. Certification planning should therefore account for both the relevant technical specification and applicable licensing conditions.
For support with equipment conformity and certification planning, explore Entirety’s Product Certification Service.
Impact Assessment
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Technical Standards?
No
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Type Approval & Market Access?
Yes
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Imports, Customs, Trade, or Market Surveillance?
No
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Spectrum Management?
No