India WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE certifications for telecommunications devices

Based on current regulations, various types of telecommunications and ICT devices are required to obtain type approval certification before entering and being marketed in India. Therefore, it is important for manufacturers to understand the type approval certification process for telecommunications and ICT devices in India. The type approval for telecommunications and ICT devices in India will be covered under WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE certifications.

The Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing of the Department of Telecommunications or WPC Wing is the regulatory body for telecommunications and ICT devices that specifically operate in unlicensed frequency bands or involve radio frequency transmission. The Telecommunication Engineering Centre of the Department of Telecommunications or TEC is the regulatory body for telecommunications and ICT devices that specifically can connect directly to a public network or internet.

In this article we will discuss all about India WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE certifications for telecommunications and ICT devices before being marketed in India.

Type approval certification in India

Before manufacturers importing their telecommunications devices to India, they need to prepare type approval certification of their telecommunications devices first. In India, the type approval certification for telecommunications and ICT devices is managed by the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing of the Department of Telecommunications (WPC Wing) and the Telecommunication Engineering Centre of the Department of Telecommunications (TEC). Each regulatory body has a different scope of type approval services and manages different types of products with different telecommunications capabilities.

WPC Wing is a national radio frequency authority responsible for managing and regulating the use of radio frequency spectrum, including issue a Equipment Type Approval (ETA) certificate for wireless radiocommunication devices operate in unlicensed frequency bands. TEC is an Indian technical body that sets standards for telecommunications equipment, including manage the certification for telecommunications products in accordance with the Mandatory Testing Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE). Therefore, each type approval certification for telecommunications and ICT devices in India is also known as WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE certifications.

WPC ETA certification applicable for products with radio frequency features such as Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC, RFID, and others SRD features, as the technologies operate in unlicensed frequency bands in India. All products operating in WPC unlicensed frequency bands can apply WPC ETA certification via self-declaration, except radar, jammer devices, drone, and satellite equipment.

Meanwhile, TEC MTCTE certification applicable for products that can connect directly to the internet or public network in India such as cellular devices, access points, network infrastructure devices (LAN switches and firewalls), IP terminal, and Internet of Things devices, as the technologies operate and connect to Indian public networks.

Requirements of WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE certifications

In most cases, local testing is not required for India WPC ETA certification as long as the manufacturers can provide accredited test reports. Therefore, WPC ETA certification can be processed by just submitting test reports from the accredited laboratory. Here is list of the required documents for WPC ETA certification under paperwork-based method:

1. Application form specified by WPC Wing Office
2. CE or FCC RF test reports from an accredited laboratory endorsed with ILAC or Accreditation body logo
3. Product datasheet or technical specification
4. Product user manual
5. Applicant’s register Saral Sanchar account a portal for license management in DoT
6. Authorization letter from manufacturer for Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)

Meanwhile, local testing is mandatory for India TEC MTCTE certification. Here is list of the required documents for TEC MTCTE certification under local testing method:

1. Application form specified by TEC Office
2. Technical details of the product
3. Testing documents (Test SOP, Command and SW) to issue local test reports
4. MOU or contract of Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) for foreign manufacturers
5. AIR authorization letter

Kindly note that 5 samples (2 conducted samples for radio testing) are required for TEC MTCTE testing and certification. All the testing must be done locally in India in a TEC accredited lab. So, the existing FCC and CE test reports of the product are not acceptable for TEC MTCTE certification.

Applicants of WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE certifications

Applications of both WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE certifications must be submitted by a local Indian company. The local Indian company could be an Indian manufacturer, local brand owner, or authorized representative from a foreign manufacturer.

MOU or contract is required if local Indian company acts as AIR (Authorized Indian Representative) for foreign manufacturers. The local Indian company that acts as a applicant of WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE certifications must create an account in each authority body’s portal, which Saral Sanchar portal for WPC ETA certification and MTCE portal for TEC MTCTE certification.

Lead time of WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE certifications

Since the manufacturers can do paperwork-based applications to apply for India WPC ETA certification, then the lead time is relatively shorter around 1 week from the date of receipt of all test reports and application documents.

And because local testing is the only available option to apply for India TEC MTCTE certification, then the lead time is relatively longer compared to WPC ETA certification around 8-10 weeks from the date of receipt of test samples and application documents.

Label requirements of WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE certifications

Currently, there is still no specific labeling requirements mandated by the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing for telecommunications devices that have received India WPC ETA certificates. Different from WPC ETA certification, the Telecommunication Engineering Centre has mandated labeling requirements for every TEC-approved products.

The label of TEC MTCTE certification will consist of TEC logo along with MTCTE followed by the certificate number. The size of TEC logo must be 1/4 of the size product’s brand name, with a minimum height of 6 mm. However, if the size of brand name is less than 6 mm due to space constraint, then the size of TEC logo can remain the same height as the product’s brand name. The TEC label can be affixed as a physical label or an e-label.

• XXXXXXXXX: The certificate number issued by MTCTE Portal (9 digit)

Validity of WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE certificates

WPC ETA certificates can be valid for the lifetime of the product as long as there is no revocation from the WPC Wing Office. Modifications of the equipment such as an additional radio frequency band may affect WPC ETA certificates, and potentially requiring a new certification.

Meanwhile, the validity of TEC MTCTE certificates is 10 years from the issued date of the certificates. The current validity period of TEC MTCTE certificates is an extended version from the previous 5 years to 10 years. The validity of a modified TEC MTCTE certificate must be valid for the remaining period of the originally issued certificate.

Please note that if any exemption is required from the TEC Office due to non-availability of complete testing infrastructure in the country, then the TEC Office will issue a provisional certificate with the validity for 2 years. The need for renewal of a certificate arises at least 2 months before its expiration.

Example of WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE certificates

In the WPC ETA certificates, several information related to the telecommunication device, manufacturer and applicant will be mentioned. Below is an example of India WPC ETA certificate for approved telecommunications devices.

In the TEC MTCTE certificates, several information related to the telecommunication device, manufacturer and applicant will be mentioned. Below is an example of India TEC MTCTE certificate for approved telecommunications devices.

Conclusion

Navigating India type approval certification is not easy, there are many things we need to know and prepare before starting the whole process. Usually, some manufacturers also face difficulty to navigate India type approval especially because they have limited knowledge and language barriers to the whole process.

To avoid these issues happening, the existence of a type approval service partner is important for manufacturers. You can consult with our expert team about India WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE certifications by drop an email to info@narmadi.com for further assistance.