The Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC Wing) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a new guideline no. R-11017/11/2025-PP for use, retention, and disposal of wireless equipment under WOL, experimental and/or demo licenses. This guideline is intended to provide clarity on the use, retention, and disposal of wireless equipment procured or used under Wireless Operating Licenses (WOL), including experimental and demonstration licenses, after its cancellation, expiry or termination of the licenses. The implementation of this guideline has effective since 15 October 2025.
In this article we will discuss all important notes from the new guideline no. R-11017/11/2025-PP and its impact to India type approval process.
Key notes of new guideline no. R-11017/11/2025-PP for disposal wireless equipment
The new guideline document no. R-11017/11/2025-PP was issued to make clarity on disposal procedures in the event of cancellation, expiry, retention or termination of the WOL, experimental or demo licenses. This guideline imposes several procedures with varying timelines based on license status, as follows:
Cancellation cases
- A license holder who submits a cancellation request to WPC Wing Office is required to dispose its equipment within 90 days from the submission date of the cancellation request. If disposal is not possible within the specified timeline, then a license holder is required to obtain a regular Non-Destructive Possession License (NDPL) from the relevant WMO Office.
- The entity that still uses equipment without a license will be considered a violation of willful non-compliance equipment and subjected to action by the DoT Office as appropriate.
Expiration cases
- If a license is not renewed, it will be deemed invalid after its expiration date. Upon expiry, automatic notification will be issued to the license holder via the portal, requiring the disposal of the equipment within 30 days.
- A copy of the notification must also be provided to WPC/WMO Office to facilitate disposal. During this period, the equipment will be treated as safe under the secured NDPL. The license holder must update the disposal details (upload the disposal certificate) on the portal within 7 days of the completion of disposal.
- If disposal of the equipment is not possible within 30 days of the license expiry, then the license holder must obtain a regular NDPL from the relevant WMO Office.
- Failure to comply with this provision will be considered a willful violation and will result in appropriate action by DoT Office.
Retention cases
- If a license holder intends to retain the equipment for resuming work at a later stage, then the license holders must obtain an NDPL from the WMO Office for ownership of the equipment.
Termination cases
- If a license holder is terminated by Indian Government due to violation of its provision, the equipment must be disposed within 15 days of the termination. After disposal, information (a certificate of surrender as proof of disposal) must be submitted to the license issuing office.
- During this period, the equipment will be owned under the deemed NDPL.
Disposal methods based on new guideline no. R-11017/11/2025-PP
Wireless equipment under the condition of cancellation, expiry, retention or termination can be disposed by one of the following disposal methods:
- Return the wireless equipment to the original source from it was procured.
- Return the wireless equipment to an authorized dealer by WPC Wing Office.
- Transfer the wireless equipment to another license holder with similar frequency assignment.
- Destroy the wireless equipment become incapable of transmission or reception radio frequency.
A proof in the form of a disposal certificate must be submitted to the authority portal by the license holder. All disposal of wireless equipment must comply with India’s E-Waste Management Rules 2022. Therefore, if a manufacturer still has devices with expired or canceled WOL, experimental or demo licenses, it is important to comply with the disposal procedures based on this new guideline.
Conclusion
The implementation of new guideline no. R-11017/11/2025-PP shows the authorities’ efforts to enforce accountability on how wireless equipment is managed after its post-licensing due to cancellation, expiry or termination. This guideline also ensure that disposal of wireless equipment in accordance with environmental standards in India.
It is important for manufacturers and importers to understand the new guideline no. R-11017/11/2025-PP so that they can adapt their certification strategies early. For companies who want to stay informed about any regulatory changes in India, feel free to drop an email to info@narmadi.com for further assistance especially if you have any questions about this new guideline.
