New Delhi: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced significant reforms aimed at simplifying and accelerating the approval processes for Experimental Licenses, Demonstration Licenses, and Equipment Type Approvals (ETA). These changes are part of the DoT’s ongoing efforts to enhance the ease of doing business in the telecom sector, aiming to reduce delays and foster innovation by streamlining regulatory requirements for businesses and telecom operators.
One of the key reforms is the introduction of fixed timelines for the approval of Experimental Licenses, which are crucial for testing and experimenting with new technologies. For Experimental Licenses that do not require Inter-Ministerial Consultation, the license will be deemed issued after 30 days if no decision is conveyed by the authorities. In cases where consultation is necessary, the DoT will seek comments within seven days of receiving a complete application. If no comments are received within the stipulated time, a provisional license will be granted after 60 days, which will be converted to a regular license after 90 days, provided there are no adverse comments.
Similarly, for Demonstration Licenses, which are used to showcase new technologies, the DoT has introduced a streamlined approval process. Licenses that do not require Inter-Ministerial Consultation will be deemed granted after 15 days. For those requiring consultation, licenses will be granted after 45 days, once comments are sought from relevant authorities.
These streamlined processes are expected to significantly reduce the time and effort required to obtain the necessary approvals, thereby benefiting companies involved in developing and deploying new technologies. However, if any unfavorable comments are received during the approval process, the provisional license will be canceled, and the experiment must be halted immediately. Applicants are required to submit an undertaking agreeing to this condition at the time of application.
In a notable shift, the approval process for Equipment Type Approvals (ETA) for license-exempt wireless devices will now be based on self-declaration. Applicants can submit their applications through the SARAL Sanchar portal (https://saralsanchar.gov.in/), where they can download their ETA certificates upon successful submission. This self-declaration process is expected to significantly expedite approvals and reduce the administrative burden on businesses.
These reforms reflect the DoT’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of the telecom sector by creating a more business-friendly regulatory environment. The changes are based on recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and aim to simplify regulatory processes while maintaining existing terms and conditions for Experimental and Demonstration Licenses. Additionally, ETA holders must obtain necessary clearances, such as a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), before importing equipment into India.
For more information on these reforms, visit the DoT’s official website at [DoT Spectrum Management](https://dot.gov.in/spectrum-management/2457).