Concerns are mounting over the illegal sale of electronic equipment in Samoa by certain companies says the Regulator Lematua Gisa Fuatai Purcell.

Types of equipment such as mobile phones, walkie-talkies, laptops, drones, and others are involved. Although the companies have been kept confidential, those engaged in selling these illegal electronics will be forced to close if they continue their illegal activities.

Lematua stated that generally, type approval is required before a product can be sold in a country, including Samoa. 

"Our office posts on our website the equipment that has been type-approved, meaning a certificate of conformity has been issued from our office to legalise the sale of such equipment in the Samoan market," stated Lematua. 

However, this was not the case for those companies selling the electronics illegally. In Samoa, companies seeking to sell electronic equipment must comply with the Type Approval Rules 2018, specifically Part 5, Section 13. This regulation mandates that telecommunications equipment cannot be imported or operated in the country unless it has been type-approved by a recognised certification body, ensuring it meets the necessary standards.

"Type approval or a certificate of conformity is granted to a product that meets a minimum set of standards in Samoa and internationally, including regulatory, technical, health, and safety requirements," stated Lematua.  

Under the Telecommunication Act of 2005, it is illegal to sell telecommunications equipment without obtaining type approval from the Office of the Regulator (OOTR). Section 60(1) of the Act empowers the Regulator to mandate approval for specific types of equipment intended for connection to telecommunications networks that provide services to the public. Sellers must ensure compliance by submitting the necessary documentation to the OOTR before the sale.

Lematua noted that information as such often comes to light during meetings with companies upon their requests, as well as during regular meetings carried out to monitor different shops. 

"Our offices carry out regular monitoring of the shops - sometimes during meetings with the companies who request discussions with our technical team and me on different issues," stated Lematua. 

"Complaints from consumers which often result in finding out we had never received any equipment that use spectrum or frequency to be type approved."