Pinephone regulatory approval in Japan

[ngkz]

I am neither a lawyer nor an engineer, but if someone were to ask me to prove that my phone can be used in Japan, I would just pop the back cover off and point to the giteki mark on the modem.

As a consumer, I purchased a device with the mark on it.

The giteki mark on the modem is invalid because PinePhone uses a non-certified antenna. The giteki is issued against a pair of the antenna and the modem.  Also the giteki of EG25-G doesn't cover Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

To comply PinePhone with Japanese regulatory, PINE64 or the importer need to do:

• Obtain Gijyutsu kijyun tekigō shōmei(技術基準適合証明) per device or Kōji sekkei ninsyo(工事設計認証) per model for 6 bands(W-CDMA, HSDPA, FDD-LTE, TD-LTE, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
  The modem will pass the giteki test without doubt, but I'm not sure WiFi+BT chip (RTL8723CS) supports the Giteki test pattern, which is different from the FCC test pattern.
  The giteki requires the device to be impossible to easily modify to increase output power, so RTL8723CS and its peripheral circuit may have to be covered with a soldered shield, like the modem.
  
• Obtain Gijyutsu kijyun tekigō nintei (技術基準適合認定)
  This is required by the terms and conditions of Japanese phone carriers.
  
• Show the giteki label on the device or operating system
  
• Verify EG25-G and RTL8723CS firmware updates don't change radio characteristics.
  
• Provide repair service (optional)
  The giteki certified device must be repaired by the manufacturer or MIC authorized repairer. Otherwise, the giteki will void.
  I don't think MIC authorized repair shops repair this exotic device.
  
• Comply product liability act (if the importer slaps giteki label on the device and resell)
  If PinePhone injured someone or damaged something, the importer must compensate for the damage due to the PL Act. The importer should take out PL insurance.
  

Since the cost of the giteki for 4G device is expensive and there aren't many Japanese PinePhone users, it won't likely happen.

Fortunately, MIC has not been actively cracking down on illegal Cellular/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth devices. You can just give MIC a middle finger and use your PinePhone. Cops may exploit your PinePhone for arrest on a separate charge, through.