Online Licensing for Use of Spectrum to Conduct Experiments, Demonstrations, etc. now a Reality

· Department of Telecommunications Expands Saral Sanchar Portal

· Applications will be Online, no Physical Interface Necessary

· Time Bound Processing: Deemed Approval in certain cases

In an important initiative to encourage spectrum based applications and for experiment, demonstration and testing requirements, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC) on 29 June 2021 launched the initiative to facilitate online licensing for use of Spectrum to conduct Experiments, Demonstrations, etc. The scope of existing Saral Sanchar Portal of DoT, on which application for Access Services, Internet Services and other licenses are being received, was expanded for receipt, processing and grant of licenses for spectrum to conduct experiment, demonstration, testing, manufacturing, etc. With this addition, nearly all the permissions required from the WPC Wing, which include permissions for equipment type approval, satellite licenses, amateur licenses, allocations by Standing Committee of Radio Frequency Allocation, etc. have become online.

Launching these online licenses for experiments, Secretary Telecom, Shri Anshu Prakash expressed hope that this would boost the ecosystem of design and applications in wireless technologies. The approval process will be faceless, transparent and also time bound. The said permissions in the form of licenses will include the clearances for possessing wireless equipment, import of necessary modules & subsystems and demonstration of R&D products. Hence separate permissions for related activities will not be required. All permissions are now bundled together.

The following are the key features:

(i) Self-declaration (instant issue of licenses) for Indoor Experimentation (R&D), Indoor Demonstration and Manufacturing.

(ii) Just One license including all the licensing requirements of the user – Use of Spectrum, Import of related products and sub- assemblies, demonstration, possession of wireless equipment etc.

(iii) Deemed approval within 6 to 8 weeks from the date of application for all outdoor radiating licenses.

(iv) The Spectrum is offered on “Non-interference and non- protection basis” and on “No commercial services”.

These measures would facilitate the Indian companies to strengthen R&D and manufacturing ecosystem and for creating Indian IPRs and Global solutions. This will also promote India as hub of wireless products and applications with potential of enhanced Indian contribution in global technology value chain