WPC License Licensing

WIRELESS PLANNING AND COORDINATION (WPC) ETA APPROVAL

What is WPC Approval in India?

The commonly used term for Equipment Type Approval (ETA) is WPC Approval. The primary objective behind the implementation of the Indian WPC certification was to safeguard consumer rights while simultaneously providing a licensing framework for radio operations. WPC, an abbreviation for Wireless Planning & Coordination, represents the national authority responsible for broadcasting in India and operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Having been founded in 1952, its central office is situated in New Delhi, complemented by regional branches located in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Guwahati.

WPC ETA Approval:

The full form of WPC is Wireless Planning and Coordination. The Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC) of the 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.

“Embrace WPC Approval, a gateway to connectivity;
Ensure compliance, for seamless communication and unity;
Empower your devices, with the mark of regulatory acceptance with grace;
And let WPC Approval be the catalyst, propelling your technology’s embrace.”

All manufacturers, importers, traders, and suppliers must fulfill compliance and regulatory requirements of the WPC certificate/ETA certificate. To understand the WPC Certification (ETA certificate) requirements and procedure for a WPC license for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-enabled devices, let’s take a closer look at WPC Approval in India.

WHAT IS WPC ETA CERTIFICATION?

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.

LICENCE PROVIDED BY WPC – AUTHORITY

TYPES OF WPC APPROVAL/ WPC CERTIFICATION

Wireless Planning and Coordination certification (WPC certification) is of 3 types which are as follows:

Non – Network Licence
- Import Licence
- Dealer Possession Licence
- Non-dealer Possession Licence
Network Licence
- Internet Service Provider Licence (ISP)
- Experimental Licence
Equipment type Approval (ETA)

1. Non – Network Licence –
  This license is issued to non-network service providers like cable TV distributors and wireless products. This license is required to sell, purchase, and import specific wireless equipment. If you’re an incorporated business entity with the appropriate people for your equipment or operation, the WPC will only award you a non-network license. It is of 3 types:
  - Import Licence – Import Licence is issued to export wireless products to India. The holder of this license gets permission to sell his wireless products in the Indian Territory.
  - Dealer possession Licence – WPC issues a Dealer Possession Licence to an individual/organization who is the dealer and distributor of wireless products.
  - WPC issues a non-Dealer Possession Licence to an individual/organization that does not deal with wireless devices and does not hold any license from WPC.
2. Network Licence –
  A network license 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) – AAny organization that wants 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 an experimental license from WPC Department.
3. Equipment type Approval & WPC ETA Certificate –
  While importing a product from overseas, a question should always be in our mind. What are the compliances required for my product? Especially when it is a Bluetooth device or RF ID-based equipment, ensure that the same must have a 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 that functions in the de-licensed frequency band. WPC ETA certificate shall also be required for each product manufactured in India. Such equipment includes Bluetooth devices, mobile phones, Wi-Fi technology, RFID, and others.
  
  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 a finished product. However, if products are manufactured outside India, a WPC ETA certificate is required for each product before its import. If 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.

Sample of a Grant Certificate for WPC

WPC Import License: A WPC license for import is required to import equipment other than the broadcasting Receiver and TVRO system. Once a WPC ETA approval has been granted to equipment, it still has to obtain an Import license if required or intended to be imported into 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.

BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR WPC ETA APPROVAL AND IMPORT LICENCE

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.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR WPC LICENCE/ ETA CERTIFICATE

The following documents are required for WPC ETA approval:

Copy of company registration
Copy of company GST registration
ID and address proof of authorized person
Radiofrequency test report from IS0 17025 accredited foreign lab or any NABL accredited Indian Lab
Letter of Authorization
Product technical details
IEC in case of import
A Purchase order in case of import
Receipt of online fee
Test report (CE/RoHS/ASTM/EN)

WHAT IS RF (RADIO FREQUENCY) TEST REPORT, AND HOW TO GET RF TEST REPORT FOR WPC (ETA) CERTIFICATE?

It is really glad to see that Indian regulatory compliance authorities and WPC are closely observing every detail while rewarding and granting any license, and as we all know, to analyze any materials or product, we must head up to the laboratories to obtain the detailed reports and characteristics of it. In the case of WPC ETA licensing, the 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.

Radiofrequency tests cover most types of broadcasts, including Wi-Fi, 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 testing 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 products tested in NABL/ILAC accredited lab for ETA approval to import or sell their products in India. If the imported product contains multiple RF modules, then test report(s) of all RF modules without any alteration will 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 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.

PROCESS OF WPC ETA (EQUIPMENT TYPE APPROVAL) CERTIFICATION

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.
Preparing Documents – After verifying the frequency range from RF- Report, all above mentioned documents are collected accordingly.
Online portal generation – WPC online Application must be filled on Saral sanchar portal for login credentials.
Online Payment of Government Fee – Government fee will be paid online.
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.
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.
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.