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The Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) wing of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, manages radio spectrum and regulates wireless devices in India. Equipment Type Approval (ETA) issued by WPC is the regulatory clearance required for RF/wireless devices before they can be manufactured, imported, sold, or distributed across India.
If your product uses radio frequency (RF) — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, cellular modules, LoRa, Zigbee, etc. — you must secure WPC approval to ensure compliance with Indian spectrum rules and avoid customs or market blocks.
A manufacturer of wireless / RF-enabled devices (domestic or international)
An importer or distributor intending to bring wireless devices into India
An OEM producing devices with RF modules, or assembling RF-enabled products
Foreign manufacturers that don’t have a branch office in India must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) to apply for ETA on their behalf — while domestic manufacturers or importers can apply directly.
A Non-Network Licence is required for businesses involved in selling, importing or handling wireless equipment, but not operating communication networks. This licence is commonly issued to:
- Cable TV operators
- Wireless product dealers
- Vendors of RF products
Under Non-Network Authorisation, three licence categories exist:
- Import Licenc
Issued to entities importing wireless or RF-enabled products into India. It legally allows them to sell such devices within the Indian territory.
- Dealer Possession Licence (DPL)
Required for companies or individuals acting as dealers, resellers, or distributors of wireless products.
- Non-Dealer Possession Licence (NDPL)
Issued to organisations or end-users who possess wireless devices but are not authorised dealers and do not hold any other WPC licence.
A Network Licence applies to organisations that make use of India’s radio spectrum infrastructure to deliver communication services, including telecom, broadcasting, and satellite-based services.
There are two primary types:
- ISP Licence (Internet Service Provider Licence)
Any organisation offering internet services in India must secure an ISP Licence from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
- Experimental Licence
Required for institutions, researchers, manufacturers, or individuals conducting R&D, testing, or experiments using wireless technologies.
An ETA Certificate is mandatory for imported or locally manufactured equipment operating within de-licensed frequency bands, including:
- Wi-Fi enabled devices
- Bluetooth products
- RFID systems
- Smartphones
- Smart devices
- IoT hardware and RF modules
ETA ensures the equipment complies with Indian RF regulations.
If a device is manufactured in India using RF modules already certified under ETA, no fresh ETA is required – provided no modification is made.
For imported products, ETA approval is compulsory before shipment, and if devices use separate RF modules, each module must be certified individually.
- Bluetooth / Wi-Fi / RFID equipment
- Wireless accessories: headphones, speakers, mice, keyboards, etc.
- Smart devices, IoT gadgets
- Wireless routers, Wi-Fi modules
- Wireless routers, Wi-Fi modules
If the product contains RF - modules that are already ETA-approved and remain unmodified, a fresh ETA for the finished product may not be required - but any import or sale must comply with WPC rules.
- Company registration documents & GST / identity proofs
- Authorization letter (for AIR or authorized signatory)
- Product technical specifications and datasheet
- RF Test Report issued by a recognized accredited lab (NABL in India or ILAC-signatory abroad)
- IEC (Import-Export Code) documents (for imports)
- Purchase order or commercial invoice (for imports)
- Payment receipt for application fees
This self-declaration forms the basis of BIS issuing the licence.
- It ensures compliance with Indian radio-frequency regulations and spectrum usage norms.
- Legally mandated for wireless/RF products — sale or import without ETA may be blocked by customs or considered non-compliant by authorities.
- Enhances product credibility and helps avoid regulatory penalties or confiscation.
- Lab liaison & RF test-report management
- Documentation preparation (technical, legal, import)
- Online portal filing & application tracking
- Representation with WPC / Indian authorities (AIR support for foreign clients)
- Complete guidance through the process — from initial filing to final certificate issuance
What is the role of WPC in India’s telecom sector?
- BoM preparation
- Documentation & audits
- TEC portal registration & approval
- Liaisoning and post-certification support
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – BIS Registration / BIS Certification
The Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) Wing, under the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, manages national radio spectrum, issues amateur radio licences, regulates wireless usage, allocates frequencies, and ensures compliance across the telecom industry.
ETA (Equipment Type Approval) is a mandatory approval from WPC for wireless devices operating in de-licensed frequency bands. Products like Bluetooth devices, smartphones, Wi-Fi equipment, RFID readers, IoT modules, etc., require ETA before being imported or marketed in India.
To obtain ETA, applicants submit a request to the Wireless Adviser, Government of India, along with relevant documents and RF test reports from accredited laboratories verifying compliance with Indian RF regulations.
Submit your RF lab test report and documents through the WPC portal for assessment.
To track your ETA/WPC licence status, visit saralsanchar.gov.in, go to Application Status, log in with your credentials, and view real-time updates.
A Dealer Possession Licence (DPL) allows businesses to stock, sell, or distribute wireless products. No wireless device can be sold or transferred legally without an appropriate licence.
ETA via self-declaration applies to products:
✔ Exempted under DGFT import policy
✔ Operating in de-licensed frequency bands
Example devices include laptops, mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, TVs, speakers, microphones, printers, cameras, earphones, and many Short Range Devices (SRDs).
Such products can be imported by giving a declaration to Customs along with the ETA certificate, downloadable from the saralsanchar.gov.in portal.
WPC charges ₹10,000 per product/model, whether it is a module or a finished wireless device.
Applicants must submit RF test reports from accredited labs. If multiple RF modules exist in one product, all module test reports must be uploaded without modification.
ETA remains valid as long as the approved product model is manufactured without changes to RF or hardware characteristics. No renewal is required unless the design changes.
Yes. Once ETA is issued (via Self-Declaration or RLO), other manufacturers/importers may use it for import purposes without additional fees.
A frequency band is a defined RF range (from lower to upper limits). A frequency chart visually displays which wireless devices operate in which bands — e.g., low-power devices at 50–200 kHz vs. high-frequency devices at 5825–5875 MHz.
Applicants must ensure:
✔ Product operates in a de-licensed frequency band
✔ Technical specifications match regulatory criteria
✔ Frequency and model number are accurately stated
Yes. BIS certification does not replace WPC ETA. Both may be required based on product type.
✔ ETA Certification: typically 10–12 working days
✔ WPC Import Licence: approx. 6–7 working days
Final cost varies by product scope — contact us for an exact quotation.
ETA is granted model-wise and remains valid indefinitely unless there is a change in design, chipset, RF characteristics, or firmware requiring fresh testing.
✔ WPC registration is issued to the importer/company and the product
✔ Only the certificate holder may import the device
✔ Importers must hold a valid IEC code
Certain products are exempted, including:
• Mobile phones
• Laptops
• Smartwatches
• Microphones
• Headphones
• Printers
Devices operating in 2.4–2.4835 GHz or 5.825–5.875 GHz ranges are licence-free.