What is WPC and ETA licensing?

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Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC), Source: Pexels

The Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) Wing was created in 1952. It is a branch of Department of Telecommunications established under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of the Government of India. It is a National Radio Regulatory Authority which is responsible for Frequency Spectrum Management in India along with licensing and other functions to facilitate government as well as private wireless users.

Its headquarter is located in the national capital i.e. New Delhi and also has regional branches in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Guwahati.

Functions of wireless planning & coordination wing

There are a wide variety of statutory functions performed by Wireless Planning & Coordination(WPC) Wing including establishment, maintenance and operation of frequency spectrum along with the issuance of licenses.

Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) Wing is divided into following major sections:

1. Licensing and Regulation (LR),

2. New Technology Group (NTG),

3. Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocation (SACFA)

SACFA has the following functions:

• To makes recommendations on important frequency allocation issues

• To formulate frequency allocation plans

• To makes recommendations on various International Telecom Union (ITU) related issues

• To oversee the clearance work for wireless installations in the country.

• To consider various problems and issues raised by wireless users.

What are the licenses issued by WPC?

The procedure to apply as well as to check the status of the filed application is totally online in nature. In order to apply for any kind of license, the applicant is first required to create a user id on the portal http://www.wpc.dot.gov.in/. After creating the user ID the applicant can perform various activities. Following is the list of licenses that are issued by WPC that can be applied for:

• Network License

• Non-Network License

• Coordination License

• Certificates

• Type Approval

• Amateur License

Along with the above mention license applications the registered user can also file SACFA applications. In order to ensure smooth flow of work, it is recommended to first create the login id and using the same ID and Password complete all the required activities.

What is the ETA?

ETA is the abbreviation used for Equipment type approval. This approval is for equipment’s granted by Wireless Planning & Coordination wing for their use in the Indian Telecom Network.

As per the rules specified by the department for every equipment or device that operates in de-licensed frequency bands Equipment Type Approval is mandatory. This means that they must be designed in such a manner that the bandwidth and other parameters must be in conformity with the specified notifications.

Who can be the applicant?

This equipment type approval is granted only to Indian agencies. No foreign manufacturer is authorized to apply for the same. However, if any foreign manufacturer wants to apply they will be required to authorize an Indian agency for the same and submit the authorization letter stating the same with the authority.

What is the procedure to get an ETA?

For this purpose, an application is required to be filed online and a hard copy of the same is also required to be filed with the department. This application is submitted with Wireless Adviser to Govt. of India in the format available on the site.

The applicant is required to submit a copy of Radio Test Report issued by an accredited test laboratory. This RT report is issued by the accredited laboratory after carrying out the required test on the product and must contain relevant details like measurements and spectrum plot details including video/resolution bandwidth, frequency span etc.

The following information is required to be submitted in the application:

1. Relating to applicant

• Name of manufacturer

• Address

• If it is a foreign authority, the details of the Authorized agency

• details of the product along with the model number

2. Details of Transmitter and receiver including transmission frequency etc.