Have you ever heard of equipment type approval? One that you have to obtain from the WPC to check whether your wireless product works within acceptable frequency range? Are these words feeling foreign to you?
You’re not alone. Despite the importance of wireless products, and ETA license (another name for equipment type approval) in India, the government hasn’t discussed it much. Why? It’s because not everyone needs it. However, with the rise of consumer buying power and the need of wireless products, the desire to start a wireless importing company has also risen. That’s why, if you’re an entrepreneur who wants to start an importing business, you should hear what we have to say about ETA license in India.
What is ETA license?
Let’s get some terminologies out of the way. The term ETA license is known by many names. It’s issued by Wireless Planning Commission or WPC. Hence, it’s also called WPC Certificate. As the commission provides an equipment type approval through this certification, it’s also called WPC ETA certificate.
So, if you see us using alternative terms for this license, don’t be alarmed. We are talking about the same thing.
Now, let’s talk about the definition.
ETA license is Equipment Type Approval that Wireless Planning Commission gives to importers of wireless products. Unlike the name, it’s not the product that gets the approval, it’s the frequency at which it operates. That’s why, for all intents and purposes, ETA certificate is a one-time authorization.
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What is the need to approve frequencies?
Wireless products can work at several frequencies. In some instances, the operating frequency band can interfere with the working of other products. While the interference is minuscule at lower levels, the higher you get, the more dangerous the interference becomes. That’s why, the Department of Telecommunication have fixed the frequencies at which certain wireless products work. If your products work within a frequency within that decided range, you obtain the ETA certificate in India. Ergo, you get the right to import and do business pertaining to that product. Otherwise, you have to redesign the product and ensure that the frequency it works in is not an interfering one.
What is the process of obtaining eta Certificate?
To obtain the WPC NOC certificate (no objection certificate from the WPC), you need to follow the steps given below:
- First, you need to get to an NABL accredited lab and get the product tested for its RF emissions and operating frequency
- Then, you have to file the application based on your findings.
- If your product works at an approved frequency, you must file application for ETA license via self-declaration
- If approval hasn’t been given to operating frequency yet, you must file the standard application of ETA license
- Once you’ve submitted the online application, you must download and take it’s printout.
- Once you’ve the hard copy of your filed application, bundle it with the mandatory documents and the product’s sample.
- Send the bundle to the Wireless Planning commission.
- The application and documents will be analyzed and the equipment will be tested by the Wireless Planning Commission.
- If the analysis report state that your product is working within the regulatory norms of the DOT, you’ll be given the ETA approval.
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Conclusion
We apologize if this article has some incomprehensible jargon. The truth is, there is not much room of simplification when the license itself is so complex. However, if you’re an importer of wireless product, you need the ETA license. And to do what’s required to obtain it, you need the assistance of our consultants. Make sure that the customs doesn’t stop your wireless consignment by reaching out to our experts for your ETA license requirements.
ETA license is one that all the importers of wireless products need, but hardly ever talks about it. So, it’s high time that we discussed this. So, let us talk about ETA license in India.