Overview of WPC ETA Certification

WPC, or Wireless Planning and Coordination, was established in 1952 and is headquartered in New Delhi. Being an apex government body and an imperative part of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, it aims to regulate the frequency spectrum and grant radio licenses. The institution has regional offices in Calcutta, Guwahati, Chennai, and Mumbai. Moreover, the institution also grants the WPC Equipment Type Authorization Certification along with other wireless certifications.

Any radio-frequency-enabled device cannot become functional without WPC approval. The same is also true for the importation of radio-based frequency equipment. License holders are bound to comply with the registration legalities to stay compliant.

WPC will oversee the requirements around radio frequency testing and mandatory licensing.

Which Government body governs the WPC in India?

The Department of Telecommunication, aka DoT, oversees the functioning of WPC in India. DoT works under the aegis of the Ministry of Telecommunications. WPC not only regulates the licensing affair but is also involved in frequency spectrum monitoring.

The Act that formulates how the authority will undertake its managerial, regulatory, and licensing affairs is known as the Indian Wireless and Indian Telegraphy Act.

The ultimate responsibility of WPC is to accord Non-professional radio licenses while also tracking and granting the frequency spectrum.

The WPC is classified into various departments. Each of them deals with the followings:

• New Technology Group (NTG)
• Licensing and Regulation (LR)
• Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocation (SACFA)

Types of Approvals granted by the WPC

The list of licenses granted by the WPC is as follows:

• ETA, i.e. Equipment Type Approval
• Experimental Approval
• Type Approval
• DPL- Dealer Possession Licenses
• NDPL- Non-Dealer Possession Licenses
• Import Licenses for Radio Gadget

Eligibility Criteria Concerning WPC Certification

For Manufacturers and Importers –

• The manufacturers and importers of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices must secure WPC certification. This condition also applies to those who want to import such devices and sell them in the Indian market.

For Representative Appointed –

• If the applicant firm is non-Indian, it must appoint an authorized professional to deal with the licensing formalities on its behalf.

For Results of Frequency –

• The frequency outcome of the specified wireless accessory must be available in the result irrespective of the time frame. The video bandwidth, resolution bandwidth, sweep, and frequency should be clearly indicated in the individual results.

For ISO Laboratories' Report –

• If the manufacturing origin of the product is the home country, the provision for in-country testing would cease to exist. The only mandatory requirement in this regard is the obtainment of in-country testing from the certified lab.

For De-Licensed Frequency Bands

• All devices should operate on the particular de-licensed frequency bands.

For Sheet of Technical Information –

• The applicant is bound to secure the technical data sheet from the relevant authority.

Documents for WPC Equipment Type Authorization Certification

Given below is the list of documents that one must arrange for WPC Equipment Type Authorization Certification

• Company Registration Copy
• Authorized Person’s ID and Address Proof
• Company GST Registration Copy
• Authorisation Letter authenticating AIR to file an application if the applicant firm is non-Indian.
• Radio Frequency Test Result
• Import Export Code granted by DGFT -for importing devices.
• Technical details of the product
• Imported product’s purchase order, if any
• CE or RoHS or ASTM or EN Test Report
• Online fee receipt

How to secure WPC Certification in India?

Given below is the detailed process of securing WPC certification in India:

Step 1: Application filing

Head to the concerned ministry to get access to the e-form concerning WPC certification. Your next step should be to include each and every detail in the e-form, which is mandatory. Keep in mind that any error in form filing could lead to the application’s cancellation. Also, be watchful while uploading the mandatory documents, which we will discuss shortly.

Step 2: Hard copy submission

Once you are done with the online filing, your next step would be submitting the hard copy of the application to the respective WPC office. 

Step 3: Application inspection

The inspection protocol will be initiated as soon as the application and documents find their way to the authority. The authority will thoroughly vet the document and application for accuracy.

Step 4: Grant of certification

This is the last step in the certification process, which will come to effect if the authority does not find any error in the paperwork.

Procedure for a WPC Equipment Type Authorization License

The procedure concerning WPC equipment type authorization license usually comprises the following steps:

1. Submit the equipment as a specimen for Radio Frequency testing to the accredited Testing Laboratory.
2. Acquired the test report
3. Visit the DoT and file the e-application
4. During filing, add mandatory personal, business, and equipment details
5. Next, upload the required documents- refer to the above section for this purpose.
6. Also, upload the test report granted by the Testing Laboratory.
7. After reviewing the submitted application, documents, and testing report, the authority shall grant the certification.

How to Secure WPC ETA license in India?

The followings are the steps that are involved in the WPC ETA licensing process:

• Submit the equipment as a specimen for Radio Frequency testing to the accredited Testing Laboratory.
• Acquired the test report
• Visit the DoT and file the e-application
• During filing, add mandatory personal, business, and equipment details
• Next, upload the required documents- refer to the above section for this purpose.
• Also, upload the test report granted by the Testing Laboratory.
• After reviewing the submitted application, documents, and testing report, the authority shall grant the certification.

Noteworthy Facts Concerning WPA License

• According to the amendments introduced in 2021, foreign companies seeking WPC approval also need to test their products from certified labs.
• In case of product modification, the applicant must file a fresh application.
• All wireless products shall be functional on the allocated wireless network.
• In most cases, most wireless devices need to leverage de-licensed frequency bands to operate. To use this band, the applicant must apply for specialized permission.
• WPC is solely responsible for dealing with the licensing affairs relating to the Equipment Type Approval, aka ETA.
• WPC also grants ETA certificates for products that are yet to be registered. In such cases, ETA is not grantable.
• Devices that fall under the WPC's Equipment Type Approval (ETA) include Bluetooth devices, smartphones, Wi-Fi devices, and so on.

Team up with Swarit Advisors to get your WPC approval in no time

Swarit Advisors has been serving the licensing regime for more than a decade. Our experienced professional and compliance specialists know what it takes to secure a particular license, irrespective of how complicated the legalities are. We ensure seamless processing of paperwork, which leads to prompt grant of the license. Through comprehensive and robust liaisoning capabilities, we are on top of registration errands. If dealing with licensing or its requirements is not your cup of tea, we are here to help you.

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