Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC)

Introduction

The WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) is a division of communications and information technology ministry, telecommunications department, India. Wireless Planning & Coordination involves the planning, managing, and monitoring of radiofrequency and geostationary satellite orbit tools, as well as the licensing of wireless stations on the Indian subcontinent under the Indian Telegraph, act 1885 and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act 1933 (IWTA 1933). As per WPC norms, before launching in India, all IT products (all individual models) with Bluetooth and WiFi features need to get WPC approval.

Products with radio, wireless, or both functionalities that are manufactured or imported into India must have an equipment type approval certificate (ETA) from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's (WPC) wireless planning and coordination wing. This includes Transceiver products, transmitters, routers, Bluetooth, Wireless blue-tooth watches,  radio frequency identification (RFID), Products with radio, wireless or both functionalities that are manufactured or imported into India must have an equipment type approval certificate (ETA) from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's (WPC) wireless planning and coordination wing. This includes Transceiver products, transmitters, routers, Bluetooth, Wireless blue-tooth watches, Radiofrequency check records (RF). Approvals are generally based on the examination radio frequency test reports and approval certificate.

WPC Types of approvals

A. NON NETWORK LICENCE

A non-network license for a non-network service like a cable TV distributor is issued. Network licenses relating to the allocation of frequencies and the construction of a broadcasting station. Whereas a non-network operator uses or retransmits existing network waveband and uses the frequencies pre-allocated.

I. Import License

WPC Import License is a permit issued by the Government of India or granted. The holder of such a license is allowed to import into the national territory certain goods and services; Each Import License has a quota that determines the number of products that can be imported and does not need to exceed the quota.

WPC issues this import license for importing any system or equipment other than the Broadcasting Receiver and TVRO. Other than that, WPC requires an import license for all the devices and equipment.

II. Dealer Possession license

A Dealer Possession License (DPL) is issued to prospective wireless retailers and distributors. DPL forbids the possession, transfer or selling of wireless devices or related telegraphic equipment to any other individual or organization that does not hold a valid license. 

III. Non-dealer Possession license (NDPL)

The Non-Dealer Possession License (NDPL) is granted to an individual or organization that is not a wireless device dealer, nor does it hold any other license from WPC but still intends to keep wireless equipment in their possession. Regional cable TV providers are a really good example of people obtaining an NDPL licence. In India, 34 DoT nodal offices are allowed to issue an NDPL.

B. NETWORK LICENCE

A network license is granted to a corporation that seeks to use the country's limited radio frequency capacity to offer communication-related services such as mobile networks, cable, and DTH. A network license relates to the allocation of frequencies and the development of broadcast and transmission stations. Having a network license is a slow and complicated process because of the level of operations and the scale of involved resources.

I. Internet Service Provider License (ISP)

Any business in the country struggling to provide internet services must obtain an ISP license from the Telecommunications Department (DoT). ISP licenses were subdivided into three categories A, B, and C based on the size and area of operation. Service area Category A covers India as a whole. Both 20 Territorial Telecom Circles and 4 Metro cities are covered by the Category B service area. Also included in category B are four other major cities (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune), other than the metro cities. The service area of category C refers to the Secondary Switching Areas (SSA) as specified in the DoT.

II. Experimental License

Any person or company which intends to conduct experiments or research on wireless equipment must obtain an experimental license from the WPC authority, as the name implies. It comes under a Network license category. An applicant is expected to already hold a Dealer Possession License before applying for this permit. If not then the applicant must first apply for a DPL. Five regional offices based in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Guwahati grant licenses.

C. EQUIPMENT TYPE APPROVAL

Equipment Form Approval (ETA) is an approval that must be obtained from WPC before any wireless system is imported into India that does not need a WPC license and functions in a de-licensed frequency band. These equipment include items such as Bluetooth systems, cell phones, wi-fi technology, RFID and others. A license-free status has been granted to certain frequency bands such that one does not need a WPC license for goods operating in those frequencies. In addition, a comprehensive test report of the equipment obtained from a well-recognized laboratory must be sent to the WPC for review in order to receive ETA. We support our clients to check their equipment and to produce a test report in the correct format for submission to WPC. The timeline for this entire process to be completed is roughly two to three weeks.

Procedure and Documentation

Procedure for applying

STEP 1: Submission of application along with documents required

STEP 2: Pre-scrutinization of documents as per the checklist

STEP 3: Accepting the application by WPC

STEP 4: Scrutinization of documents by WPC

STEP 5: Query raised by WPC, if there is any deficiency in the documents or need more documents.

STEP 6: Submission of documents required by WPC

STEP 7: Issuance of certificate

Documents required :

➲ Business registration proof

➲ Business GST registration

➲ Authorized person id and address proof

➲ Radiofrequency test report from an ISO 17025 accredited foreign lab or any NABL accredited Indian lab

➲ Authorization letter

➲ Product technical literature

➲ IEC (in import case)

➲ Purchase order (in import case)