The Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC) of Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is the National Radio Regulatory Authority, responsible for frequency spectrum management and licensing, as well as meeting the needs of all wireless users.
WPC office issue WPC (ETA) License for IT and Electronic devices that meet the demands of wireless technology users. Only WPC-approved wireless and Bluetooth IT and electronic items that operate on unlicensed frequency bands and meet human safety regulations are allowed to be sold in India.
All manufacturers, importers, traders, and suppliers must fulfill compliance and regulatory requirements of WPC certificate/ETA certificate. To understand the WPC Certification (ETA certificate) requirements and WPC license (ETA certification) procedure for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-enabled devices, let’s take a closer look about WPC India.
The WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) wing, which is part of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, is the national broadcasting body founded in 1952 and now being operated by Saral Sanchar Online Portal.
Products with radio and/or wireless functionalities imported or manufactured and marketed in India will need to have an equipment type approval certificate (ETA certificate) from the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC India) wing of the Ministry of Communications of the government of India. This includes products with Bluetooth, wireless local area network access technology (Wi-Fi), small digital radios (Zigbee), and radio frequency identification (RFID), and many more.
A WPC certificate is required for anyone who wants to do a wireless device business in India. Manufacturers and importers of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-enabled devices must receive WPC license (ETA certificate) from Wireless Planning & Coordination wing, India.
Wireless Planning and Coordination certification (WPC certification) is of 3 types which are as follows:
1. Non – Network Licence
* Import Licence
* Dealer Possession Licence
* Non-dealer Possession Licence
2. Network Licence
* Internet Service Provider Licence (ISP)
* Experimental Licence
3. Equipment type Approval (ETA)
* WPC Import License
This licence is issued to the non-network service providers like cable TV distributor and wireless products. This licence is required for the sale, purchase, and import of specific wireless equipment. If you’re an incorporated business entity with the appropriate people for the sort of equipment or operation you operate, the WPC will only award you a non-network licence. It is of 3 types
* Import Licence – Import Licence is issued to export wireless products to India. The holder of this licence gets permission to sell his wireless products in the Indian Territory.
* Dealer possession Licence – WPC issues Dealer Possession Licence to an individual/organization who are the dealers and distributors of wireless products.
* Non-Dealer possession Licence – WPC issues non-Dealer Possession Licence to an individual/organization which does not deal with wireless devices and also not hold any licence from WPC.
A network licence is given to a company that wants to use the country’s restricted radio frequency capacity to provide communication services including mobile networks, cable, and DTH.
* Internet Service Provider Licence (ISP) – Any organization want to provide internet services must obtain ISP Licence from Telecommunication Department (DoT).
* Experimental Licence – Any organization or person who wants to conduct experiments or research on wireless gadgets must obtain experimental licence from WPC Department.
While importing the product from overseas, a question should always be in our mind. What are the compliances required for my product? Especially when it is Bluetooth device or RF ID-based equipment, make sure that the same must have WPC ETA Certificate. Now let’s discuss what is WPC ETA Certificate in detail:
Equipment Type Approval (ETA) is an approval that has to be obtained from WPC before importing any wireless device in India which functions in the de-licensed frequency band. WPC ETA certificate shall also be required for each product manufactured in India. Such equipment includes products like Bluetooth devices, mobile phones, Wi-Fi technology, RFID and others.
In the cases when the product is manufactured in India and RF module(s) having ETA is/are fitted in it without any modification/alteration, then no separate WPC ETA approval is required for such finished product. However, if products are manufactured outside India, then WPC ETA certificate is required for each product before its import. In the case where RF modules are separate, ETA shall apply to the RF module.
WPC ETA certificate can be obtained through self-declaration for wireless products which comply with the following conditions:
* Product exempted from import licensing requirement as per EXIM Policy of DGFT
* Working in the de-licensed frequency band
For example:- Mobile handsets, Smartphone, Electronic notepads, Laptops, Smartwatches, SRDs including accessories, microphones, headphones, speakers, earphones, printers, scanners, mouse, keyboard, TV, camera, etc.
For the product which does not fall under the above Category, WPC ETA certificate can be obtained by applying online through the routine procedure to concerned RLOs e.g., Drones and a special camera.
WPC Import License: Import license is required from WPC to import any equipment other than broadcasting Receiver and TVRO system. Once an WPC ETA approval has been granted to equipment, it still has to obtain an Import license if it is required or intended to be import in India.
To obtain a WPC ETA certificate for de-licensed frequency band devices, a detailed test report of the equipment obtained from a well-recognized laboratory has to be submitted to WPC INDIA for evaluation. We help our clients with testing of their equipment and obtaining the test report in proper format for submission to WPC India.
The basic requirements for WPC ETA approval are as follows:-
* For foreign manufacturers: All foreign manufacturers having no liaison office or branch office located in India have to appoint Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
If the manufacturer has the liaison office/branch office in India, then they will become the AIR.
For import license, a foreign manufacturer needs to appoint AIR, which should be the same as in the WPC ETA application.
* For domestic manufacturers: The domestic manufacturer can directly apply for WPC ETA license ETA and WPC import license without nominating AIR.
The following documents are required for WPC ETA approval:
1. Copy of company registration
2. Copy of company GST registration
3. ID and address proof of authorized person
4. Radiofrequency test report from IS0 17025 accredited foreign lab or any NABL accredited Indian Lab
5. Letter of Authorization
6. Product technical details
7. IEC in case of import
8. A Purchase order in case of import
9. Receipt of online fee
10.Test report (CE/RoHS/ASTM/EN)
It is really glad to see that Indian regulatory compliances authorities and WPC are closely observing each and every detail while rewarding and granting any kind of license, and as we all know, to do analysis of any materials or product, we must head up to the laboratories to obtain the detailed reports and characteristic of it. In case of WPC ETA licensing, RF report plays the role.
RF testing is a method of checking the frequency of radio transmissions to ensure that they are efficiently using the spectrum. In this context, efficiency means that radio waves in the airspace do not interfere with one another.
Most types of broadcasts are covered by radio frequency tests, including Wi-Fi, GPS, PMR radio, Cellular devices, and many others. Compliance with frequency standards is required by law in most areas.
For Equipment Type Approval (ETA), WPC Registration requires an RF (Radio Frequency) test report for products operating in de license frequency bands from ILAC accredited foreign lab or NABL accredited Indian lab.
Manufacturers and Importer need to get their product tested in NABL/ILAC accredited lab for ETA approval to import or sell their product in India. In case the imported product contains multiple RF modules, then test report(s) of all RF modules without any alteration to be uploaded for WPC ETA approval.
A thorough test report of the equipment received from a well-recognized laboratory must be submitted to WPC for examination to get an WPC ETA Approval for de-licensed frequency band devices.
We assist our clients with equipment testing and collecting test reports in the correct format for submission to WPC.
1. Checking EN Standard and RF-Test Report – WPC ETA certification starts with the checking of EN Standard and frequency range in RF-Test report of the product. If frequency range falls under the mandatory devices which works under DE Licence then self-declaration certificate is issued.
2. Preparing Documents – After verifying the frequency range from RF- Report, all above mentioned documents are collected accordingly.
3. Online portal generation – Applicant must register online on Saral sanchar portal for login credentials.
4. Online Payment of Government Fee – Government fee will be paid online.
5.Online/Offline submission of Documents – Applicant need to submit all required documents to WPC authority both online as well as offline for a specific type of license.
6. Verification of Documents – WPC officials will verify the documents and RF test report. If the document presented are not in order, WPC officials may request for the missing document or any further information, as the case may be, for clarification purposes.
7. Grant of WPC ETA Certificate – If WPC officials will get satisfied with the documents and test report of the product then Equipment type approval Certificate (WPC certificate) will be granted.
To obtain an WPC certificate/ETA for de-licensed frequency band devices, a detailed test report of the equipment obtained from a well-recognized laboratory has to be submitted to WPC for evaluation. We help our clients with testing their equipment and obtaining the test report in the proper format for submission to WPC.
Digital Upgrade Solutions has extensive experience in providing WPC (ETA) Approval for IT and Electronic devices to both domestic and international businesses. By obtaining a WPC certificate and an import license, we assist Indian and global firms in releasing their products in the Indian market.
To get a complete idea about WPC ETA approval and hustle-free business, contact Digital Upgrade Solutions. We assist the client to get all types of certification and license under the various scheme of the government of India. Our technical team will guide you through every stage of the process and ensure that your business runs smoothly.
WPC Registration requires RF (Radio Frequency) test report for Equipment Type Approval (ETA) for their product operating in these frequency bands. We help Indian and foreign brands in launching their product in the Indian Market by getting a WPC certificate and Import license.
WPC Registration requires RF (Radio Frequency) test report for Equipment Type Approval (ETA) for their product operating in these frequency bands. We help Indian and foreign brands in launching their product in the Indian Market by getting a WPC certificate and Import license.
The Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing (WPC) is a Wing of Department of Telecommunications coming under the Ministry of Communications of the Government of India. The department is responsible for issuing amateur radio licenses, allotting the frequency spectrum and monitoring the frequency spectrum.
Equipment Type Approval (ETA) is an approval that has to be obtained from WPC before importing any wireless device in India which functions in the de-licensed frequency band. Such equipment includes products like Bluetooth devices, Mobile phones, Wi-Fi Technology, RFID and others.
Filing of application for obtaining equipment type approval shall be made to the Wireless Adviser to Govt. of India. Preparation and Submission of required documents along with a complete copy of the Radio Test report (RF test report) carried out on the product from an accredited test laboratory.
To obtain an ETA for de-licensed frequency band devices, a detailed test report of the equipment obtained from a well-recognized laboratory has to be submitted to WPC for evaluation.
A Dealer Possession License (DPL) is issued to the prospective dealers and distributors of wireless products. DPL forbids people and companies from possessing, transferring or selling any wireless devices or similar telegraphy apparatus to any other person or organization also not holding a valid license.
These are the following products:
Required Documents
* Radio Frequency’ (RF) Test Report is required in soft copy from any NABL accredited Indian lab or ISO 17025 accredited foreign lab.
Filing of application for obtaining equipment type approval shall be made to the Wireless Adviser to Govt. of India. Preparation and Submission of required documents along with a complete copy of the Radio Test report (RF test report) carried out on the product from an accredited test laboratory.
* Documents of Product’s Technical Details: Describing technical information about a product, such as a user manual etc.
ETA through self-declaration is applicable to the products which comply with both the following conditions, i.e., i) (exempted from import licensing requirement as per Import Policy of DGFT and; )ii (working in de-licensed frequency band)s (as per applicable Gazette Notifications from Ministry of Communications. For example: – Mobile handsets, Smartphone’s, Electronic notepads, Laptops, Smartwatches, SRDs including accessories, microphones, headphones, speakers, earphones, printers, scanners, mouse, keyboard, TV, camera, etc.
Such category of products may be imported by submitting an undertaking to the Customs along with ETA certificate, both generated/downloaded through the portal saralsanchar.gov.in.
For such products (for example drones/RPAs), issuance of ETA through RLOs of WPC Wing shall continue. Apply online for ETA through the routine procedure to concerned RLOs and obtain ETA for it.
For obtaining ETA, a fee of Rs 10,000/- is required to be paid for each product having inbuilt one or more RF module(s). The product may be a finished model or RF module
The RF test report issued by Accredited Laboratory for the product is required for the issuance of ETA. In case the imported product contains multiple RF modules, then test report(s) of all RF modules without any alteration to be uploaded.
Yes, if it satisfies both the following conditions, i.e., (i) exempted from import licensing requirement as per Import Policy of DGFT and; (ii) working in de-licensed frequency band)s (as per applicable Gazette Notifications from Ministry of Communications.
Payment of Rs 10,000/- is to be made through BharatKosh (NTRP) Portal under ‘Equipment Type Approval (ETA)? to 077188-CCA PAO, Headquarters. While making payment, it is advised to enter the name of the product and Model Number under the ‘Remark’ column.
A product operating in the licensed exempt band(s) should have equipment type approval (ETA). In the cases when the product is manufactured in India and RF module(s) having ETA is/are fitted in it without any modification/alteration, then no separate ETA is required for such finished product. However, if the product(s) are manufactured outside India, then ETA is required for each product before its import.
The validity of the Equipment Type Approval (ETA) license remains valid as long as the product model continues being manufactured without any alteration and modification. In such a case, no renewal is required.
Such items may be imported by submitting a copy of the existing ETA along with a signed undertaking clearly stating that:-
i. the product contains RF module(s) operating in de-licenced frequency bands only and;
ii. the product is exempted from import licence requirement as per the Import policy of DGFT.
Once an ETA is issued for a product either through Self-Declaration or through RLO, it can be used subsequently by other persons for the purpose of import without any additional payment.
The frequency band would be applicable to a particular domain that has two forms of indicators. The indicators would be the lower domain and the higher domain. Frequency bands are commonly used terms when it comes to radio frequency and other forms of devices. A frequency chart is a specific form of a chart showing frequency bands for a different type of wireless product. For example, if the product is a specific frequency band, then it would be categorised as a low power device. 50-200 KHz are classified and categorised as low-frequency bands. However, 5825 Mhz – 5875 Mhz would be categorised as high-frequency bands.
The applicant has to ensure that the technical specifications meet specific requirements. Apart from this, the frequency band and model number have to be specified. The device has to be wireless which is present in a de-listed frequency.
Yes, BIS Approved product also need WPC ETA Certificate.
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