WPC - ETA Approval

WPC stands for Wireless Planning and Coordination, and is a regulatory body in India which enforces compliance of imported wireless and Bluetooth products to certain stipulated standards. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is the leading body in India for matters to do with broadcasting and communication. It is an organization that is under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. WPC was formed in the year 1952 and is based in New Delhi. WPC certificate is a very important authorisation for using various wireless gadgets such as Wi-Fi routers, smart speakers, Bluetooth headphones and many more in Delhi.

In India, in order to market products with wireless capabilities including smartphones and smartwatches, the government’s WPC authority’s approval is required. They grant the so-called ETA (Equipment Type Approval) certificate which proves that your products are safe and do not interfere with other wireless devices. It functions under the Department of Telecommunications, and its primary responsibility is in the management of wireless equipment with a view of avoiding interference of the wireless equipment. It carefully authorize wireless terminals and laptops.

In order for the wireless device to be sold in India it needs to work at certain frequencies and conform to the set safety standards. Although, WPC ETA license is a must have in order to be able to apply for the given job. To get this license, you must present a test report from a certified laboratory which examines the radio frequencies of the device. It could be an overseas lab or a lab in India but it has to be accredited by ILAC or NABL.

WPC Approval in India also called as WPC ETA Certification in India come in different types of WPC approval depending on the type of product and application. This paper analyzes the need for the understanding of basic requirements for WPC ETA approval and the documents that need to be provided for import licenses. The first one is the RF test report that has to be submitted and the applicant must know how to get it for the certification process. In order to achieve Equipment Type Approval (ETA) for their products from WPC, one must apply together with the necessary documents. This certification is important for the products that come under the vast ambit of WPC regulations, which also takes into account the licence exempt bands. Getting the WPC ETA approval in India is not an easy task and to get the right guidance for the certification process, businesses turn to experts.

How To get a WPC Certificate in Delhi, you must fall into one of these two categories:How To get a WPC Certificate in Delhi, you must fall into one of these two categories:

If you manufacturers of wireless products especially those that use free to use frequency bands.

If you import wireless products that work in the free to use ISM bands.

BENEFITS OF ETA CERTIFICATION

  • 1. Ensuring Product Connectivity: This entails ensuring that all products are easily interoperable especially the wireless devices that require working in unison with other devices. Communication problems may be compared to the problem of defect in the application process.
  • 2. Enhancing National Security: The Wireless Planning and Coordination Certificate wing has put in place very firm regulations on the use of wireless products and devices given the threat of security threats.
  • 3. Mitigating Frequency Interference: Some of the devices use unlicensed frequencies but if not well protected they may end up interfering with each other. That is why the ETA certificate is important it assists in avoiding frequency clashes.
  • 4. Accessing the Indian Market: As the market of India grows and people of India learning to adopt modernization especially through wireless devices for their ease, it becomes imperative to have an ETA Certificate for those people who are involved in the process The above point shows that it is unlawful to sell wireless devices in the Indian Market without certification from the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing.

WPC Certificate is necessary for various wireless devices, such as

  • Radios
  • Antenna
  • Drones
  • Smart Speakers
  • Walkie Talkies
  • Wireless Cameras
  • Smart Watches
  • Wireless Transmitters
  • Hotspot Devices
  • Smart TV’s

There are certain types of WPC Approval/ WPC Certification:

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

1. Non - Network Licence

  • • Import Licence
  • • Dealer Possession Licence
  • • Non-dealer Possession Licence

2. Network Licence

  • • The first one is the Internet Service Provider Licence (ISP).
  • • Experimental Licence

3. Equipment type Approval (ETA)

  • 1. Non-Network License: This type of license is for those businesses that are not offering network services such as cable television providers and wireless devices’ vendors. It is required to obtain or purchase or import some of wireless equipments. If you are a registered business and have the right people for your equipment then you are going to get a non network license. It has three variations:
  • • Import License: Provide to those, who are going to introduce wireless products to the market of India.
  • • Dealer Possession License: Given to individuals or organizations which are into dealing and distributing of wireless products.
  • • Non-Dealer Possession License: Its available for all those one is not selling wireless devices and has a WPC license.
  • • Network License: This license is for organisations that wish to offer communication services in India through radio frequencies including mobile networks, cable services and direct to home (DTH) broadcast.
  • Internet Service Provider License (ISP): This means that if you wish to provide internet services you will require an ISP license from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
  • Experimental License: This license is for those people or companies who wish to carry out experimentations or study using wireless devices.

4. Equipment Type Approval (ETA) & WPC ETA Certificate: When you are importing a product particularly if it is a Bluetooth or RF device you have to ensure that it comes with a WPC ETA Certificate. ETA is a form of approval that has to be sought from WPC prior to importing any wireless device into India especially the one that operates in a frequency band which does not require specific license. For the gadgets such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi technology, mobile phones, and RFID equipment an ETA certificate is crucial.

Process

1. Conducting the Radio Frequency Test: The first step is to do a Radio Frequency Test in a certified Indian laboratory in order to apply for the WPC ETA Certificate. This test checks on the frequency level of the product to ascertain if it is in the permissible limit of WPC ETA Certificates. India has particular frequency range for devices that are eligible for this certification.

2. Document Preparation for Application: The next step involves the identification of all the necessary documents that are needed in the application of WPC ETA Certificate. It is extremely critical that these documents do not only contain accurate information but also contain only the truth.

3. Applying via the Online Portal: The third step involves application for grant of license through the online mode on the Saral Sanchar Portal. This portal is one of the important digital initiatives of the Department of Telecommunications and is used for the grant of various licenses and registration certificates.

4. Document Submission: After the Radio Frequency Test, compilation of documents needed, as well as the filing of the application through the internet, the applicants must submit the important documents to WPC for evaluation.

5. Receipt of the WPC ETA Certificate: The WPC officer who is designated for the purpose will check the documents that are submitted and he or she will pay special attention to the Radio Frequency Test Report to ascertain that it is correct and complete. In case the officer is satisfied with the documents and the procedure that was followed, he or she will issue the approval for the ETA Certificate which will be issued to you.

The following are some of the documents that one has to present in order to obtain a WPC certificate.

  • 1. Radio Frequency Test Report.
  • 2. Product Catalog.
  • 3. Business Ownership Proof.
  • 4. The authorised person has to submit the Valid ID and Address Proof.