WPC Radio Type Approval for India

The Wireless Planning and Coordination Department (WPC) of the Indian Ministry of Communications was established in 1952 and is responsible for managing the frequency spectrum, including licensing, in India.

No, the European CE marking is not sufficient for foreign manufacturers' wireless equipment in India. However, the conformity testing of the WPC is based on the requirements of the ETSI (EU) and/or FCC test reports. Therefore, these test reports must be part of the technical documentation submitted for the WPC.

In general, most wireless products that can receive and transmit signals require WPC certification. These include devices that use Bluetooth and WiFi technology, as well as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and smartwatches. Telecommunication equipment that is also connected to the Indian public network must apply for a Telecommunication Permit issued by the Telecommunication Engineering Center (TEC).

The timeframe for obtaining a certification for wireless devices in India depends on the completeness of the application and varies from case to case. Generally, it takes about 4-8 weeks to process and issue the certificate after all required documents are submitted.

Yes, testing in an accredited RF testing laboratory in India is required. Factory inspection, on the other hand, is not required for WPC ETA approval.

An Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) is always required to submit an application for WPC certification. This representative in India, authorized by the manufacturer, serves as the contact person for the regulatory authorities and is responsible for submitting the applications.

The WPC ETA certificate remains valid throughout the life of the product. However, in the event of product changes, such as changes to the product configuration, adjustments to the product design (e.g. the installation of an additional radio module) or changes to a central "key component" (e.g. a wireless element), a renewed certification obligation may occur.