Guidance on Testing for LPWAN Radio Equipment in Vietnam According to QCVN 122:2020/BTTTT

Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) radio equipment is used in applications for measurement, monitoring, remote data collection, and automated alerts. Characterized by low power consumption and the ability to transmit data over a wide range, these devices have become an important part of many practical applications. To ensure that equipment operates according to regulations and does not cause radio interference, Testing for LPWAN Radio Equipment in Vietnam according to QCVN 122:2020/BTTTT is a mandatory requirement in the process of circulating products on the market.

See more: Capacity Profile Of Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation

Table of contents

I. Overview of LPWAN Radio Device Adoption in the Vietnam Market

In Vietnam, LPWAN technology has transitioned from the testing phase to large-scale practical deployment. The use of LPWAN devices is associated with the construction of radio network infrastructure, in which transceivers and radio access equipment are widely deployed on the 920–923 MHz frequency band. Many telecommunications enterprises and IoT solution providers have installed these stations on existing telecom infrastructure in major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, allowing a single station to connect with a large number of terminal devices over a wide range.

The most common LPWAN devices today are sensor devices for measurement and monitoring. Thanks to their long-term battery operation and stable data transmission, these devices are installed to monitor water levels in frequently flooded areas, as well as to collect data on temperature, humidity, and air quality. Measured data is transmitted to management centers in real-time, helping to reduce wiring costs and facilitating installation in hard-to-reach locations.

Terminal devices, groups of sensors measuring water levels, temperature, humidity, dust, and wireless smoke detectors account for a large proportion of usage. These devices are installed in flood warning systems, environmental monitoring, building management, and fire prevention and fighting. Due to operating near mobile network frequency bands, LPWAN devices must undergo Testing for LPWAN Radio Equipment in Vietnam according to QCVN 122:2020/BTTTT to control emissions, ensure no interference, and meet legal requirements when put into use in Vietnam.

QCVN-122

II. Guidance on Testing for LPWAN Radio Equipment in Vietnam According to QCVN 122:2020/BTTTT

1. Scope of Application

QCVN 122:2020/BTTTT applies to radio equipment in Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) operating in the 920 MHz to 923 MHz band. Specifically, LPWAN radio equipment includes sensors (Sensors or Endpoints) and access devices (Access stations or Gateways) connected to each other via a radio interface; utilizing a shared frequency spectrum (920 MHz to 923 MHz band) with other short-range radio devices.

According to Circular 29/2025/TT-BKHCN, Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) radio equipment under the HS codes listed below must meet the technical requirements of QCVN 122:2020/BTTTT:

Product Names	HS Code	Product Description
Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) Radio Equipment	8517.61.00 8517.62.43 8517.62.59 8517.62.69 8517.62.99 8517.69.00	Base station equipment, radio access equipment, or terminal equipment with the function of sensing, measuring, recording, and transmitting measurement parameters via a radio interface.
	9015.10.90	Water level sensor equipment, transmitting measurement parameters via an LPWAN technology radio interface.
	9025.19.19	Air temperature sensor equipment, transmitting measurement parameters via an LPWAN technology radio interface.
	9025.80.00	Air humidity sensor equipment, transmitting measurement parameters via an LPWAN technology radio interface.
	9027.89.90	Air dust sensor equipment, transmitting measurement parameters via an LPWAN technology radio interface.
	8531.10.30 8531.90.90	Smoke detector equipment in a smoke alarm system, with the function of analyzing smoke in the air and transmitting smoke warning signals to a control center or smoke warning device via an LPWAN technology radio interface.

Note: LPWAN radio equipment utilizing licensed spectrum for public mobile information (IMT) is not within the scope of this Regulation.

2. Technical Requirements

QCVN 122:2020/BTTTT specifies technical indicators regarding the frequency spectrum, technical conditions, and measurement methods for Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) radio equipment operating in the 920 MHz to 923 MHz band. Accordingly, these devices must undergo testing for requirements such as power, duty cycle, occupied bandwidth, emissions, receiver input overload, etc.

(1) Transmitter shut-off feature: If the transmitter has an automatic shut-off feature, it shall be set to inactive during the testing period. Otherwise, an alternative suitable measurement method will be required.

(2) Transmitter shut-off feature: When testing is requested, the party providing the equipment for testing must provide all necessary measurement signal source information and equipment installation information along with the device.

(3) Receiver Classification:

Receiver performance relates to the ability to operate normally in the presence of signals from other radio systems in adjacent bands. Receivers are classified based on performance as shown in Table 1a.

The selection of receiver type must pay special attention to the risk of interference from systems operating in the same or adjacent bands, especially for applications related to safety and security. Manufacturers must inform users of the risks indicating that the device may not function as intended. The receiver type must be recorded in the test results and the equipment’s user manual.

Table 1a – Receriver Categorization

Receriver Categorization	Description
1	Category 1: A group of receivers with a high performance level.
1,5	Category 1.5: A group of receivers that enhance the performance of Category 2 receivers.
2	Category 2: A group of receivers with a standard performance level.

Note: QCVN 122:2020/BTTTT does not apply technical requirements under extreme/critical conditions starting from July 01, 2025.

Guidance on Testing for LPWAN Radio Equipment in Vietnam According to QCVN 122:2020/BTTTT

3. Testing Costs and Time

The costs and lead time for Testing for LPWAN Radio Equipment in Vietnam in the 920 MHz to 923 MHz band according to QCVN 122:2020/BTTTT are publicly listed by Phúc Gia®. Customers can view the quotation for electrical, electronic, telecommunications, and information technology equipment testing at the Testing – Certification Quotation section or contact Phúc Gia® for detailed consultation.

4. Where to conduct Testing for LPWAN Radio Equipment in Vietnam according to QCVN 122:2020/BTTTT?

4.1. Regulations on Qualified Testing and Certification Bodies

Based on Article 5 of Consolidated Document 02/2020/VBHN-BTTTT – Regulations on conformity certification and declaration for specialized information and communication technology products and goods, the testing units serving certification and declaration are regulated as follows:

Testing units serving conformity certification activities must be designated or recognized testing laboratories.

Testing units serving conformity declaration activities must be designated or recognized testing laboratories, or units registered for testing activities under Decree No. 107/2016/NĐ-CP dated July 01, 2016, of the Government providing for conditions for business of conformity assessment services.

Testing units are responsible before the Competent Authorities for the accuracy of testing results. Testing results do not serve as a substitute for the Certificate of Conformity or the Declaration of Conformity.

4.2. Phuc Gia® – A Prestigious Telecommunications and Information Technology Testing Organization in Vietnam

Phuc Gia Testing Laboratory Corporation (Phuc Gia®) is designated by the Ministry of Science and Technology to conduct testing for telecommunications and information technology equipment according to 24 Vietnam Technical Regulations for many important groups of devices. This serves the quality management of products and goods potentially causing safety risks under the Ministry’s management responsibility, pursuant to Decision No. 2899/QĐ-BKHCN and Decision No. 228/QĐ-BTTTT.

Accordingly, Phuc Gia® is designated to perform Testing for LPWAN Radio Equipment in Vietnam in the 920 MHz to 923 MHz band according to QCVN 122:2020/BTTTT.

Phuc Gia® is also the first unit to be accredited by all three accreditation bodies (BoA, AOSC, VACI) as meeting ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. The testing facility has a scale of up to 5,000 m², equipped with modern and synchronized measurement and inspection equipment, serving tests for electrical safety, EMC, energy efficiency, RF, SAR, and many other technical categories.

Along with that is a team of nearly 100 staff, engineers, and technical experts who are strictly selected and intensively trained, meeting the demanding requirements of testing, certification, and conformity assessment activities in many technical fields.