The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced key reforms aimed at simplifying the approval processes for telecom licenses and wireless equipment. This move, according to a statement from the Ministry of Communications, is part of the ongoing effort to improve ease of doing business within the telecom sector.

Under the new regulations, fixed timelines have been introduced for issuing Experimental and Demonstration Licenses. For licenses that do not require inter-ministerial consultation, approval will be granted within 30 days for Experimental Licenses and 15 days for Demonstration Licenses. In cases requiring consultation, the timelines extend to 60 and 45 days, respectively. Provisional licenses will be issued in the interim if no objections are raised.

“For Experimental Licenses (Radiating Category), fixed timelines have been introduced to ensure quicker approvals. For Experimental Licenses cases not requiring Inter-Ministerial Consultation, the license will be deemed issued after 30 days if no decision is conveyed. In cases requiring Inter-Ministerial Consultation, the DoT will seek comments within seven days of receiving a complete application. If no comments are received, 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,” the statement said.

“Similarly, for Demonstration Licenses (Radiating Category), licenses without Inter-Ministerial Consultation will be deemed granted after 15 days. For those requiring consultation, licenses will be deemed granted after 45 days once comments are sought from relevant authorities,” it added.

A major shift also comes in the approval process for Equipment Type Approvals (ETA) for license-exempt wireless devices, which will now be granted on a self-declaration basis through the SARAL Sanchar portal. This change significantly reduces the time required for approvals, benefiting companies deploying wireless technology in India.

These reforms are aligned with the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and reflect DoT’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the growth of the telecom sector.