The Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing (WPC) is a wing of the Government of India’s Ministry of Communications and issues wpc certificate. The department is in charge of issuing amateur radio licenses, allocating and monitoring the frequency spectrum, and so on. WPC’s headquarters are in New Delhi, with regional offices in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Guwahati.
Introduction to Certification of WPC
Under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, lies a department known as Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC). It was founded in 1952 and has regional offices located in Guwahati, Calcutta, Mumbai, and Chennai. Its primary headquarters is based in New Delhi.
The primary duties of WPC include monitoring and managing the frequency spectrum as well as issuing licenses for amateur radio operators. WPS is authorized for further wireless certifications, such as WPC ETA Certification (WPC Equipment Type Authorization Certification), in addition to these duties.
Authorization is mandatory for any radio-frequency-enabled equipment. The WPC department is responsible for approving the import of any radio-based frequency equipment into India.
This organization ensures that the service provider adheres to all licensing requirements. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) controls wireless coordination and planning. The licensing regulations for wireless testing and frequency testing would fall within the purview of this division.
The India WPC Regulatory Body:
The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) is responsible for regulating WPC in India. In India, the only organization in charge of managing a department like that would be the Ministry of Telecommunications.
The agency would also be in charge of frequency spectrums and frequency spectrum monitoring in addition to out-licensing. The primary regulation that regulates the licensing needs for various kinds of equipment is the Indian Wireless and Indian Telegraphy Act.
Who can apply for a license of WPC?
- Manufacturers and Importers – Before selling Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capable products in the Indian market, importers and manufacturers must obtain certification of WPC and a Certificate of Import authorization.
- For Representative Appointed – To obtain WPC clearance, a foreign company must appoint an authorized agent in India. This approved representative will act on behalf of the foreign business during the WPC approval process in India.
- For frequency results – the frequency result for the specific wireless accessory must always be present in the results. Each result must include the mention of resolution bandwidth, video bandwidth, frequency, and sweep.
- For the ISO Laboratories’ Report – there is no necessity for particular in-country testing if the product is made in the nation. The only prerequisite is obtaining a specific RF (Radio Frequency) report from a laboratory that has been accredited by ISO/IEC 17025.
- The Need For De-Licensed Frequency Bands – All devices with wireless capacity must be able to operate in the designated de-licensed frequency bands, and doing so is a necessity for all devices.
- For Technical Data Sheet – The technical data sheet, which can be requested from the appropriate authority, must be on hand for the application.
Types of Approval for WPC Certification
- Approval Licence for Equipment Type Approval (ETA): To use the de-licensed frequency spectrum, a manufacturer must get a WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) certificate; otherwise, a WPC certification license is not required. Included are mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, WiFi technology, RFID, and other things.
- Demonstration License: To demonstrate wireless devices, you need a non-network type license that is applicable only to specific frequencies and emissions. You need a dealer possession permit that is still in effect to get this license.
- Experimental Licence: To experiment on wireless equipment, which necessitates a network license, you must obtain an experimental license as well as a DPL license.
- Internet Service Provider (ISP) Licence: To provide internet services in India, a business needs to have an ISP license.
- DPLs License: DPLs (Dealer Possession Licenses) are issued to wireless product dealers and distributors, allowing them to sell and acquire wireless devices to individuals without a valid license.
- Non-Dealer Possession Licence: A non-dealer possession license (NDPL) is provided to an individual or organization that neither meets the requirements to be a dealer nor holds a WPC Registration certification.
- Import Licence: An import license limits the number of products that can be imported and is granted to firms so they can export their products to India.
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Which goods must be imported with a WPC Certificate?
A WPC license is required for the import of wireless equipment that uses Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. In India, all Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ZigBee-enabled products must have Certification of WPC. The WPC’s list of required items includes the gadgets listed below.
- Bluetooth Devices
- Wi-Fi Router
- Smart Speaker
- Wireless Repeater
- Walkie-Talkie
- Wireless Terminal
- Smart /Wi-Fi Enabled Bulb
- Wireless Mouse
- Bluetooth Headphones
- Wireless Transmitter
- Smart Watch
- Wireless Camera
- Wireless Nano USB
- Hotspot Devices
- Wireless POS Terminal
- Smart TV
- Smart home Gateway
- Wireless Pendrive
- RFID Reader
- Wireless Receiver
- Drones
- Wireless Plugs
- Wireless barcode Scanner
- Wireless Microphone
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Benefits of WPC certificate
The certificate of WPC is necessary for anyone who wants to import, sell, or operate wireless equipment in India. This certificate ensures that the equipment being used is safe and conforms to the appropriate standards. The certificate also helps prevent instances of interference, which can lead to network downtime and lost revenue.
In addition to avoiding these risks, it’s important to guarantee that the wireless equipment complies with the technical requirements and standards necessary for safe and dependable operation in India by obtaining WPC import licenses. The WPC makes sure the machinery runs within the allotted frequency range and doesn’t interfere with any of the other wireless technologies in use in the nation.
Obtaining WPC import licenses is a crucial step in making sure that wireless equipment may be imported into India easily and without incident. It guarantees that the machinery complies with all applicable regulations, is safe to operate, and stays clear of any possible legal or regulatory concerns.
How to apply for a WPC certificate?
You can get a wpc registration by following these steps –
- Step 1: Create an account on the WPC website For the online application, create an account on the Saral Sanchar website. Choosing the commodities you want to import and submitting an online application through the DOT portal constitutes the first step in registering for a WPC licence. After submitting your online application, the system will generate an import ID for you.
- Step 2: Select “Apply new ETA” You must self-declare every commodity you export when applying for a new ETA. Use your import ID to check if the equipment you have is included in the list of items exempt from WPC ETA approval. By inputting the ID and captcha, equipment that employs various RFs (Radio Frequencies) can be verified
- Step 3: Obtain the results of the RF tests
For ETA approval and WPC license registration, a radio frequency (RF) test report generated by an accredited laboratory is required. To confirm and make sure that imported equipment is within the required frequency range and complies with safety requirements, RF test reports are needed. The acceptance of RF testing reports from Indian(local) accredited labs is now mandated under a new rule that was put into place in 2021. In the past, test results from other countries were accepted. Furthermore, a WPC license does not require a factory inspection. Only when the radio frequency of the equipment in the RF test report complies with the list of WPC necessary products is a WPC ETA certificate granted. - Step 4: WPC online application – The application for the WPC approval of the gadget you are importing will be approved once all the conditions have been satisfied.
- Step 5: Submit the necessary documentation. The Wireless Planning and Coordination Authority must receive the necessary paperwork both online and offline to register a certificate of WPC. Your documents will be sent to the WPC officials for review after you have submitted them.
- Step 6: Pay the government fees For WPC registration, you must pay the government costs online. Online payments can be made using wallets or debit/credit cards. The professional fees range from 7000 to 12000 depending on the WPC license consultants, while the government charge for applying for certification of wpc is 10,000. If you have the results of the RF test reports prepared, the full process takes at least 30 days.
- Step 7: Issuance of certificate of WPC The application is delivered when the documents have been examined. The WPC certificate for the particular gadget will be issued by the WPC wing. After obtaining a WPC license, importers can quickly bring wireless equipment into India.
Documents Required of wpc certification in detail
Documents required to obtain the WPC Authorization Certification :
- If a foreign manufacturing company has not established any liaison branches in India, they must propose an AIP (Authorized Indian Representative) while applying.
- If the liaison branch is established, the branch must register as an AIR.
- A foreign producing company must approve an AIR to obtain an import license.
- If the company has all the relevant documentation, it can submit the WPC ETA without the need for AIR.
- Copy of the company registration.
- GST Registration Copy of the company.
- ID and address proof for the authorized person.
- Test of Radio Frequency Results.
- Letter of Authorization.
- Specifications for the product.
- if being imported, IEC.
- Purchase order for imported goods, if any.
- Receipt of fees online
- ASTM, CE, RoHS, or EN Test Report
What are the post-compliant requirements after receiving the Certification of WPC?
These are the precise requirements that an applicant must meet after receiving WPC certification:
- The applicant must ensure and certify that the equipment meets the frequency bandwidth requirements.
- According to the regulations, the applicant must keep the relevant records and submit them to the ministry
- The Applicant must keep the Ministry informed of any changes or modifications to any wireless equipment.
Important Information Regarding WPA Licence
- The revisions made in 2021 state that overseas businesses requesting WPC clearance must additionally have their products tested by accredited labs.
- The applicant must submit a new application in the event of product modification.
- On the assigned wireless network, all wireless products must work.
- Most wireless gadgets must use unlicensed frequency bands to function. The applicant must submit a specific permit application to utilize this band.
- The licensing issues about the Equipment Type Approval, or ETA, are entirely the responsibility of WPC.
- Additionally, WPC issues ETA certificates for unregistered products. ETA cannot be granted under such circumstances.
- The WPC’s Equipment Type Approval (ETA) covers a variety of gadgets, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices.
Time and Cost involved in gaining WPC approval:
These factors include the type of wireless device being used and the frequency band in which it operates. The ETA and DPL processes each take about four to six weeks to complete.
Depending on the kind of wireless device and the frequency band it uses, acquiring WPC approval has a variety of costs. While the prices for DPL are between INR 1000 and INR 5000, those for ETA are between INR 5000 and INR 10,000.
Validity & Renewal of wpc certification
The validity of the WPC certificate is typically 3 years, after which it must be renewed. The renewal process involves submitting a fresh application along with the required documents and fees. The application must be submitted at least 30 days before the expiry date of the current certificate.
It is essential to note that the renewal process involves a review of the equipment’s conformity to the appropriate standards and regulations. If any non-compliance issues are identified, the renewal may be denied.
It is therefore recommended to regularly monitor and maintain equipment to ensure compliance and avoid potential issues during renewal. Non-compliance with WPC regulations and standards can result in hefty fines, loss of license, and even imprisonment.
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Conclusion
While submitting a certification of WPC for importers is a simple way to get a WPC license, it also involves extensive responsibilities including product testing, documentation, and more, making it difficult to comprehend each WPC component. We can help you with the licensing, registration, and certification of WPC.