November 2025: New Standards Set to Transform Telecom and AV Engineering

The international landscape of telecommunications and audio-video (AV) engineering is evolving rapidly, and November 2025 brings a suite of five pivotal new standards shaping the future of connectivity, system performance, and compliance. These releases, spanning optical fibres, fibre optic connector interfaces, radio-frequency connectors, and advanced electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test methods, offer organizations the technical edge they need for robust, efficient, and standards-compliant operations. This deep-dive (Part 3 of 4 in our November 2025 coverage) will help industry professionals, compliance managers, engineers, and procurement strategists understand the implications and actionable pathways behind these significant updates.

Introduction: Advancing Telecom and AV Engineering Through Standards

Telecommunications and audio-video engineering are foundational to the digital, connected world—serving sectors from critical infrastructure to media, healthcare, manufacturing, and beyond. In this field, standards are more than technical documents: they drive quality, interoperability, and security, while offering a blueprint for end-to-end system reliability and regulatory compliance.

The November 2025 update introduces five new and revised standards, each addressing specific challenges in signal fidelity, system integration, connector reliability, and electromagnetic performance. This article will walk you through what’s new, why it matters, and how your organization can benefit from aligning to these latest specifications.

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN IEC 60793-2-60:2025 – Optical Fibres for Class C Single-Mode Interconnection

Optical fibres - Part 2-60: Product specifications - Sectional specification for class C single-mode interconnection fibres

For organizations engineering dense optical networks or next-generation data center infrastructure, EN IEC 60793-2-60:2025 is an essential resource. This standard defines comprehensive product specifications for optical fibre types C1, C2, C3, and C4, focusing on single-mode interconnection—key to high-bandwidth, low-loss data transmission.

This second edition substantially updates and refines the requirements from its 2008 predecessor:

• Expands and clarifies the definition of “interconnection fibres,” providing precision for procurement and quality control
• Updates limits on mode field diameter (MFD), coating diameters, and coating strip force to align with current fiber manufacturing and installation practices
• Introduces new requirements for primary coating diameter (including colour coding), enhancing fibre identification during assembly
• Switches terminology from “Fibre cut-off wavelength” to “Cable cut-off wavelength” for more accurate deployment guidance
• Adds transmission requirements at 1,625 nm and removes the 1,310 nm requirement for C1 fibres, responding to changes in industry demand and optical system design
• Tailors environmental, mechanical, and dimensional specs for each fibre class (C1–C4), supporting greater project flexibility
• Provides detailed compliance matrices and test methods for
  • Dimensional: MFD, primary coating and buffer diameters
  • Mechanical: tensile strength, stress corrosion, proof testing, coating strip force
  • Transmission: cut-off wavelength, attenuation, macrobending loss
  • Environmental: behavior under temperature, humidity, and related stressors

Industries and organizations that design, supply, or maintain optical component interconnections—especially in high-density settings—are directly affected. Implementation ensures reliable fibre performance, system interoperability, and compliance with the latest European and international benchmarks.

Key highlights:

• Harmonized fibre specifications for types C1 to C4, supporting a wide range of interconnection strategies
• Precise requirements for fibre geometry, mechanics, and optical performance
• Important changes in terminology and technical performance to match current industry trends

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 60793-2-60:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN IEC 61754-37:2025 – Fibre Optic Connector Interfaces (Type MDC)

Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Fibre optic connector interfaces - Part 37: Type MDC connector family

The EN IEC 61754-37:2025 standard is pivotal for manufacturers and integrators working with the latest generation of fibre optic connectors. It formalizes the standard mechanical dimensions and functional parameters for the MDC connector family—a crucial component in compact, high-density networking environments (such as hyperscale data centers and advanced optical transport systems).

The MDC connector interface is characterized by:

• Two 1.25 mm spring-loaded ferrules
• A space-saving duplex form factor and push-pull latching mechanisms
• Resilient split-sleeve alignment for precision mated connections
• Comprehensive interface specifications for PC (physical contact) and APC (angled physical contact, 8°) configurations

The standard includes detailed mating interface dimensions, intermateability tables, adaptor and device receptacle guidelines, and options for duplex, quadruplex, and octoplex configurations. It ensures that all MDC connector implementations are interoperable across assemblies and compatible with other standard optical cabling systems specified in IEC 60794-2-50 and related standards.

Organizations designing, specifying, or deploying high-density fibre interconnections in environments where space, thermal management, and performance are critical will find this standard invaluable. It helps reduce installation errors, fosters multi-vendor compatibility, and simplifies long-term maintenance and upgrades.

Key highlights:

• Standardized mechanical and mating interface specs for MDC duplex and multi-connector forms
• Tables for cross-compatibility and interoperability with a range of adaptors and active device receptacles
• Clear specifications supporting next-gen compact fibre optic networks

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 61754-37:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 61169-74:2025 – HN Series RF Coaxial Connectors with Screw Coupling (50 Ω)

Radio-frequency connectors - Part 74: Sectional specification for HN series RF coaxial connectors with screw coupling - Characteristic impedance 50 Ω

With the explosive growth in wireless infrastructure, satellite communications, broadcast, and industrial microwave systems, reliable RF connectors are mission-critical. The IEC 61169-74:2025 sectional specification offers detailed guidance for HN series RF coaxial connectors, featuring:

• Screw-coupled connectors designed for robust microwave transmission up to 6 GHz
• High mechanical integrity for frequent connect-disconnect cycles
• Prescribed mating face dimensions for top-tier electrical and mechanical performance (grade 2), ensuring precise pin and socket alignment
• Dimensional and gauging details for standard test connectors (grade 0)
• Selection of quality assessment procedures, test schedules, and inspection requirements for rigorous quality control (assessment levels M and H)

The standard supports cable and microstrip deployments, from telecom base stations to military and aerospace RF networks. By using IEC 61169-74, organizations ensure RF performance, reduce EMI/RFI issues, and future-proof systems for emerging frequency requirements.

Key highlights:

• Defines mating, gauging, and dimensional parameters for HN RF connectors
• Supports high-frequency (to 6 GHz) and high-reliability installations
• Includes full quality assessment/test regimes for robust, compliant builds

Access the full standard:View IEC 61169-74:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 61169-74:2025 – (Duplicate Entry)

Note: This entry is identical to the previous IEC 61169-74:2025 listing above. For clarity and completeness, refer to the detailed coverage just provided. Access the duplicate through the identical iTeh Standards link as above.

Access the full standard:View IEC 61169-74:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 62153-4-7:2021 – EMC Test Methods for Connectors and Assemblies (Triaxial Tube-in-Tube Method)

Metallic cables and other passive components test methods - Part 4-7: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Test method for measuring of transfer impedance ZT and screening attenuation aS or coupling attenuation aC of connectors and assemblies - Triaxial tube in tube method

As EMC performance becomes ever more critical in dense infrastructure and industrial installations, IEC 62153-4-7:2021 delivers an advanced, repeatable test methodology for validating the shielding effectiveness of connectors and cable assemblies. This third edition refines the triaxial tube-in-tube method, now a global reference for:

• Measuring surface transfer impedance (ZT)
• Quantifying screening attenuation (aS) and coupling attenuation (aC), crucial for evaluating protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI)
• Testing both simple screened connectors and complex multicore or multipin assemblies
• Incorporating informative and normative annexes covering direct measurement of screening effectiveness (Annex E), mixed-mode S-parameter analysis (Annex F), accessory requirements for coupling attenuation (Annex G), and low-frequency screening attenuation considerations (Annex H)

The standard is vital for manufacturers, test laboratories, and integrators needing to validate EMC compliance for installations in critical environments such as telecom hubs, broadcast facilities, automotive electronic hubs, and any installation vulnerable to signal corruption via electromagnetic emissions.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive, reproducible EMC measurement for connectors and assemblies
• In-depth annexes to support direct measurement, mixed-mode analysis, and set-up optimization
• Supports EMC and signal integrity compliance in high-speed, high-density systems

Access the full standard:View IEC 62153-4-7:2021 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The adoption of these November 2025 standards will have a transformative impact on organizations across telecommunications and audio-video engineering:

• Accelerated Standards Alignment: By integrating the latest requirements, organizations avoid costly rework, boundary issues, and market-access delays.
• Improved Reliability and Performance: Detailed specifications for fibre geometry, connector interface, and shielding effectiveness ensure robust, consistent system operations, even in complex or high-demand environments.
• Interoperability: Leveraging harmonized standards enables multi-vendor integration and future-proof design.
• Simplified Procurement and Testing: Clear testing, inspection, and quality assessment measures streamline supply chain validation and internal quality assurance.
• Risk Mitigation: Non-compliance risks include regulatory penalties, system failures, increased warranty costs, and lost business. Early adoption, by contrast, enhances market credibility and operational security.
• Compliance Timelines: Many standards specify mandatory adoption and withdrawal dates for superseded editions—organizations should plan implementation well in advance of regional regulatory deadlines.

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements

• Precise dimensional tolerances (e.g., for optical fibre coatings, MFD, or RF connector interfaces)
• Mechanical limits such as tensile strength, coating strip force, and insertion durability
• Environmental specifications: resistance to humidity, temperature, and stress for field performance
• Transmission measures: attenuation, cut-off/cable wavelength adaptation, frequency range
• EMC: robust test methods for transfer impedance, screening attenuation, and coupling attenuation

Implementation Best Practices

1. Conduct a Gap Analysis: Review current system specifications versus the requirements in the new standards.
2. Procurement Alignment: Update supplier requirements and incoming inspection protocols to reflect dimensional, mechanical, and transmission changes.
3. Testing and Certification: Establish or engage certified labs for compliance testing—especially for EMC per the triaxial method and for verification of connector/fibre specs.
4. Training and Documentation: Update training for engineers and technicians to reflect new terminology (e.g., cable cut-off wavelength), measurement practices, and handling guidelines.
5. Early Adoption: Implement changes ahead of mandated withdrawal dates (typically within 2–3 years of publication) for seamless compliance and continuous business operations.

Conclusion & Next Steps

This November 2025 release of five international standards for telecommunications and audio-video engineering sets the stage for higher reliability, better system integration, and sustained regulatory compliance in a rapidly changing technical landscape. Organizations are encouraged to:

• Review each standard in detail: Use the provided links to access the full documents and integrate their requirements into your product designs, system specifications, and procurement.
• Engage with internal teams as well as suppliers to ensure seamless implementation and compliance.
• Stay informed: With the pace of technical change and standards evolution, ongoing awareness is essential for future-proofing your operations.

Explore the latest industry standards and critical updates at iTeh Standards.

Stay ahead, be compliant, and leverage these standards for strategic advantage in telecommunications and audio-video engineering.