THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is proposing stricter rules on the importation and sale of used and refurbished mobile phones, tablets, modems, routers and other customer premises equipment such as modems and routers.The proposed regulations — which were presented at a public hearing at the NTC central office on Sept. 23 — would require dealers to secure a specialized permit and provide warranties, in line with a crackdown on stolen, illegally acquired, tampered and defective devices.Under the proposal, no person or company may import, purchase for resale, sell, lease, distribute or retail used or refurbished devices without a valid Refurbished Mobile Phone Dealer Permit (RMPDP) from the NTC.Only properly documented and legitimately sourced devices with original NTC type approval may be imported for refurbishment and resale.The RMPDP would be a specialized category under the commission’s existing Dealer’s Permit system. Applications must be filed at the NTC central office.Applicants must submit corporate or business registration documents, a local business permit and proof of paid-up capital of at least P20 million but not more than P50 million.The proposed fees include a P500 filing fee, a P2,500 annual permit fee for each branch and a P1,500 yearly inspection fee per branch.Applicants must provide a list of devices they intend to import, proof of the units’ original type approval and documents showing their legitimate domestic or foreign sources. They must likewise show that they have a supply or service arrangement capable of honoring customer warranties.The rules would require dealers to place refurbished units in boxes clearly identifying the RMPDP holder as their source. Each device must carry a one-year repair warranty from an authorized service center or a replacement warranty from the dealer.Permits would be valid for one year and renewable upon continued compliance.Violations would carry a fine of P5,000 for each offense or unit, as applicable. Repeated or willful violations could result in the suspension or revocation of the dealer’s permit, subject to due process. Unlicensed dealers may also face administrative sanctions.Telecommunications companies, prospective applicants and other industry stakeholders raised concerns, including the protection of manufacturers’ intellectual property and other reserved rights.The commission has also received written comments on the draft rules.