Aleph Accreditation & Testing Centre Pvt Ltd.
WPC (WIRELESS PLANNING & COORDINATION) ETA APPROVAL
Wireless communication: Any transmission, emission, or reception of signs, signals, writing, images, and sounds, or intelligence of any kind using electricity, magnetism, or Radio waves or Hertzian waves without the use of wires or other continuous electrical conductors between the transmitting and receiving apparatus is referred to as wireless communication.
WPC (WIRELESS PLANNING & COORDINATION): WPC is a National Radio Regulatory Authority under the Ministry of Communication for Frequency Spectrum Management. While meeting the needs of wireless technology users, the WPC Office issues WPC (ETA) Licenses for IT and Electronic devices. Only WPC-approved wireless and Bluetooth IT and electronic items that operate on specified frequency bands and meet human safety regulations can be sold in India.
The National Radio Regulatory Authority is responsible for Frequency Spectrum Management, including licensing, and serves the needs of all wireless users in the country. The WPC is a Wing of the Ministry of Communications and information technology, established in 1952 and now being operated by Saral Sanchar Online Portal.
It carries out the Central Government's statutory tasks and grant licenses to establish, maintain, and operate wireless stations. The WPC is divided into various departments such as Licensing and Regulation (LR), New Technology Group (NTG), and the Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocation (SACFA).
SACFA makes suggestions on important frequency allocation issues, formulates the frequency allocation plan, makes recommendations on different matters connected to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), solves concerns presented to the committee by various wireless users, and clearance for all wireless sites in the country.
TYPES OF WPC APPROVAL
Wireless Planning and Coordination is of 3 types, which are as follows:
1. Non - Network License
- Import License
- Dealer Possession License
- Non-dealer Possession License
2. Network License
- Internet Service Provider License (ISP)
- Experimental License
3. Equipment Type Approval (ETA)
1. Non - Network License:
Non-network service providers, such as cable TV distributors and wireless goods, are granted this license. For the sale, acquisition, and import of particular wireless equipment, this license is required. The WPC will only grant you a non-network license if you're an incorporated business entity with the required individuals for the type of equipment or operation you run.
It is of 3 types:
- Import License: To export wireless products to India, an import license is required. The license holder gets permission to market his wireless devices in the Indian Territory.
- Dealer Possession License: A Dealer Possession License is issued by WPC to an individual or organization that sells and distributes wireless items.
- Non-Dealer Possession License: A Non-Dealer Possession License is issued by WPC to an individual or organization that does not deal with wireless devices and does not have any WPC licenses.
2. Network License:
A network license is granted to a corporation that wants to use the country's limited radio frequency capacity to deliver communication services such as mobile networks, cable, and direct television.
- Internet Service Provider License (ISP): Any firm wishing to provide internet services must first obtain an ISP License from the Telecommunication Department (Dot).
- Experimental License: Any organization or individual who performs wireless device trials or research must first get an experimental license from the WPC Department.
3. Equipment Type Approval
A question should always be on our minds while importing goods from another country. What are the legal requirements for my product? Make sure that any Bluetooth or RF ID-based equipment has an ETA Certificate. Let's take a closer look at what is an ETA Certificate?
WPC's Equipment Type Approval (ETA) is required before importing any wireless device into India that operates in a de-licensed frequency range. Each product manufactured in India will also require an ETA. Bluetooth devices, mobile phones, Wi-Fi technologies, RFID, and other items fall into this category. Equipment type clearance is required for a product operating in the specified exempt band (ETA).
When a product is made in India and an RF module(s) with an ETA is/are installed without modification or alteration, no further ETA is required for the finished product. If products are manufactured outside of India, an ETA is necessary for each product before its import. When RF modules are separate, ETA must be applied to the RF module.
For wireless items that meet the following criteria, ETA can be obtained through self-declaration:
(a) According to the DGFT's EXIM Policy, the product is free from the need for an import license.
(a) Using a de-licensed frequency band
ETA can be obtained for products that do not fall within the above categories, by submitting an online application to the relevant RLOs using the standard procedure, such as drones and special cameras.
WPC Import License: A WPC import license is necessary to import any equipment other than a broadcast receiver and a TVRO system. If the equipment has received an ETA approval, it must still seek an Import license if it is required or intended to be imported into India.
PRODUCTS COVERED UNDER WPC APPROVAL
WPC approval is mandatory for all wireless devices entering the Indian market.
For example:
- Wireless Bluetooth watches
- Wireless music players
- Wireless Car Radio
- Wireless Mouse and Keypads
- Wireless remotes and any other radio frequency modules
- Bluetooth Speakers
- Remote Key for entry
- Wireless Water Heaters
- Bluetooth Headphones
- Laptops, Mobile Phones
- Wireless Home Appliances
- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and readers
- Transmitter and trans receiver
And any device having Bluetooth or Wi-Fi features.
BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR WPC ETA APPROVAL AND IMPORT LICENCE:
The following are the basic prerequisites for WPC ETA approval:
FOR FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS
- Foreign producers must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative if they do not have a liaison office or a branch office in India (AIR).
- If a manufacturer has a liaison office or a branch office in India, they will be designated as an AIR.
- A foreign manufacturer must appoint AIR, which should be the same as in the ETA application, to obtain an import license.
FOR DOMESTIC MANUFACTURERS:
- Instead of designating AIR, the domestic manufacturer can apply for an ETA and an import license directly.
WHAT IS RF (RADIO FREQUENCY) TEST REPORT AND HOW TO GET RF TEST REPORT?
We all know that laboratory testing from an approved lab is necessary to acquire detailed characteristics and attributes of materials or products. A detailed RF test report from a NABL/ILAC accredited lab is necessary for ETA approval for WPC evaluation.
RF testing determines the frequency of radio transmissions to ensure that the spectrum is being used efficiently. In this case, efficiency refers to the absence of interference between radio waves in the airspace. Radiofrequency testing encompasses a wide range of broadcasts, including Wi-Fi, GPS, PMR radio, cellular devices, and many others.
For Equipment Type Approval (ETA), WPC Registration requires an RF (Radio Frequency) test report from an ILAC certified foreign lab or a NABL approved Indian lab for items operating in the license frequency bands. For ETA approval to import or sell their goods in India, manufacturers, and importers must have their product tested in a NABL/ILAC accredited lab. If the imported product has multiple RF modules, the test report(s) of all RF modules must be uploaded for ETA approval without any changes.
To obtain an ETA for de-licensed frequency band devices, a detailed test report of the equipment received from a well-recognized laboratory must be submitted to WPC for evaluation. We help our clients with equipment testing and collecting test reports in the proper format for WPC submission.
PROCESS TO OBTAIN WPC EQUIPMENT TYPE APPROVAL (ETA)
1. Checking the EN Standard and the RF-Test Report - The ETA process begins with a review of the EN Standard and the frequency range in the product's RF-Test report. A self-declaration certificate is issued if the frequency range falls under the mandatory devices that work under the De-License.
2. Documentation before submission of application - After checking the frequency range from the RF-Report, all required documents are gathered.
3. Online portal generation: Applicants must register online for login credentials on Saral Sanchar Portal.
4. Application submission with all required documents online: Applicants need to apply online with all required documents and application fees for a specific type of license.
5. Scrutiny of application: Scrutiny of application will be done by WPC personnel. WPC officials verify all documents and RF test reports. If the documents 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.
6. Grant of ETA Certificate: If the application is deemed to be complete with all required documents and fees enclosed and WPC officials will get satisfied with the documents and test report of the product, then an Equipment type Certificate will be granted.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ETA APPROVAL
The following documents are required for ETA approval for De- license frequency band.
- Copy of company registration certificate (Business license)
- Copy of GST and PAN card
- ID and address proof of an authorized person
- Radiofrequency test report (RF Test Report)
- Letter of Authorization
- Product technical details
- IEC in case of import
- A purchase order in case of import
- Receipt of the online fee
- Test report (CE/RoHS/ASTM/EN)
HOW TO GET WPC ETA APPROVAL IN INDIA?
A thorough test report of the equipment received from a well-recognized laboratory must be submitted to WPC for examination to get an ETA for de-licensed frequency band devices. We assist our clients in testing their equipment and acquiring the necessary test reports for submission to WPC. Toknow more about WPC ETA approval, contact Aleph India.
Aleph India has a lot of expertise with WPC (ETA) Approval for IT and Electronic Devices for both domestic and foreign companies. We help Indian and international companies to enter the Indian market by obtaining a WPC certificate and an import license.
For immediate assistance, call Aleph INDIA's toll-free helpline at 08048036869/ +919990136656. Please email us at inbox@alephindia.in or info@alephindia.in if you have any more questions.
WHO IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR WPC ETA CERTIFICATION?
Before importing and selling their goods into India, manufacturers and importers of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-enabled devices must receive WPC ETA clearance. A WPC ETA certification is required for anyone who wants to do a wireless device/equipment import/manufacturing business in India.
Do BIS-APPROVED PRODUCTS ALSO NEED A WPC ETA CERTIFICATE?
Yes, BIS-certified products also need a WPC ETA certificate.