DoT Introduces Faster Approvals for Telecom Licenses and Wireless Equipment
19. September 2024The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has implemented key reforms to expedite the approval processes for telecom licenses and wireless equipment in India. These updates include fixed timelines for Experimental Licenses and Demonstration Licenses, reducing regulatory delays and enhancing efficiency. For Experimental Licenses (Radiating Category), licenses not requiring Inter-Ministerial Consultation will be automatically issued after 30 days. In cases where consultation is needed, a provisional license is granted after 60 days if no comments are received, with conversion to a regular license after 90 days. Similarly, Demonstration Licenses will be deemed granted after 15 days without consultation, or 45 days when consultation is required. Telecommunication and wireless equipment usually require WPC certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.
In addition, Equipment Type Approvals (ETA) for license-exempt wireless devices will now be granted on a self-declaration basis, significantly reducing the time and effort for companies looking to introduce wireless equipment into the Indian market. Applications can be submitted through the SARAL Sanchar portal, where ETA certificates can be downloaded post-submission. These changes follow the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to improve the ease of doing business in the telecom sector. ETA holders must still secure necessary clearances, such as a No Objection Certificate from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), before importing equipment into India.
WPC certification is necessary for wireless products in order to be used and sold in India.
The national broadcasting authority WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) is responsible for this certification, in order to regulate the issuing of issuing of amateur radio licenses and the allocation and monitoring of the frequency spectrum.
If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). There is no cost or obligation for us to check for you. If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.
For more information about WPC certification, please refer to our free brochure “WPC Certification Made Easy“.
