DoT Issues Compendium Guidelines to Import Licensing Requirement from WPC Wing for Import of Wireless Equipment

[CBIC Instruction No. 16/2022-Customs dated 21 July, 2022]

Sub: Compendium of orders/ circulars/ guidelines issued from WPC Wing, DoT in regard to Import licensing requirement from WPC wing for import of wireless equipment

Reference is invited to Compendium of Orders/ Circulars/ Guidelines issued from WPC Wing, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications issued vide F.No. R-11018/02/2017-PP dated 06.07.2022, in regard to Import licensing requirement from WPC Wing for import of wireless equipment (copy enclosed).

2. Further, DoT has issued a PIB release (Release ID: 1839030) w.r.t. Advisory to Public regarding proper use of signal jammer & booster/ repeater (link available at https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1839030).

3. As requested by Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing, DoT, the above stated Compendium dated 06.07.2022 may be circulated to all formations under your respective jurisdictions for updated information & awareness.

4. The difficulties, if any, in the implementation of this Instruction may be brought to the notice of the Board.

F.No. 401/48/2022-Cus-III

· DoT Circular - File No. R-11018/02/2017-PP dated 06/07/2022 - Compendium of Orders/ Circulars/ Guidelines issued from WPC Wing, DoT in regard to Import licensing requirement from WPC Wing for import of wireless equipment

· 1. Import Licence from WPC Wing, DoT

· 2. Relaxation and Simplification:

· 2.1. For license Exempted RF Devices (Equipment Type Approval):

· 2.2. For license-band RF devices

· 2.2.1 Relaxation provided to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of Telecom Equipment

· 2.2.2. Simplification of procedure of import by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)-

· 2.3. Simplification of import procedure for the licensees under the categories of Experimental & Technology Trial, Manufacturing & Testing & Demonstration-

· 2.4. Non-requirement of Import licence for standalone Antenna and other RF accessories

Annex 1	MINISTRY OF' FINANCE (REVENUF; DIVISION) CUSTOMS Gazette S.R.O. 1815 dated 25th September 1953
Annex 2	DoT Om No.ETA-WPC/Policyl2018-l9 dated 26 Feb 2019 - ETA through self-declaration for certain categories of Wireless Equipment in license exempt bands
Annex 3	[Auto generated Undertaking by subsequent importers/ users be submitted along with ETA generated through Self-Declaration].
Annex 4	DoT No. IMPORT- 100/2022/RLO(WR)/1002 dated 30.05.2022 - License to Import Wireless Transmitting and Receiving Apparatus into India
Annex 5	DoT No. ETA-WPC/Policy/2018- 1 9 dated 26 February 2019 - Exemption of Equipment Type Approval (ETA) & Import for certain categories of Wireless Equipment operating in license exempt bands for testing/ Prototype sample units by self-declaration
Annex 6	DoT No. L-14041/01/07-RLO (SR) dated 01.12.2020 – Licence to import wireless transmitting and/or receiving apparatus into India
Annex 7	DoT Office Memorandum No. R-11018/06/2019-PP Dated, the 26th July, 2019 - : Simplification of WPC Import License requirements for Domestic Original Telecom Equipment Manufacturers to enable India as manufacturing Hub
Annex 8	DoT Office Memorandum File No. R-11017/02/2021-PP Dated 21st October 2021 - Import of wireless equipment by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) on the basis of self-declaration
Annex 9	DoT Import Certificate No:IMP-SD-20211116026 Valid from 16-12-2021 Upto 16-06-2022 - Certificate to Import Wireless Transmitting and/or Receiving Apparatus into India by Telecom Service Providers (TSP)
Annex 10	Min of Communications Office Memorandum No. R-14016/0112019-NT(Pt.) dated 23 July 2019 - Considering requirements for emerging new radio communications technologies and to promote R&D activities in the field of wireless radio communications, specifically SG technologies…

Department of Telecom issues advisory to public on proper use of wireless jammer, booster

· Warns e-commerce platforms on illegal facilitation & sale of wireless jammers

[PIB Press Release/04.07.2022]

Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, on 1st July, 2022 issued an advisory to the general public on the proper use of Wireless jammer and booster/ repeaters (https://dot.gov.in/spectrummanagement/advisory-proper-use-wireless-jammer-and-boosterrepeater).

It has been stated that the use of cellular signal jammer, GPS blocker or other signal jamming device is generally illegal, except specifically permitted by Government of India. The detailed guidelines in this regard are available at https://cabsec.gov.in/others/jammerpolicy/. Private sector organizations and/ or private individuals cannot procure/ use jammers in India.

It has also been stated that it is unlawful to advertise, sell, distribute, import or otherwise market signal jamming devices in India, except as permitted under the guidelines mentioned above.

With regards to signal booster/ repeater it has been stated that it is unlawful to possess, sale, and/ or use mobile signal repeater/ booster by any individual/ entity other than the licensed Telecom Service Providers.

Earlier, vide Notice dated 21 January, 2022 (https://dot.gov.in/spectrummanagement/notice-e-commerce-companies-regard-illegal-facilitation-sale-signal-jammers), the DoT warned all e-commerce companies from selling or facilitating the sale of wireless jammers on their online platforms. A copy of the above Notice was also circulated to Ministry of Commerce, Department of Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), CBIC/ Customs, for appropriate actions.