Radio Frequency Testing

The Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing (WPC) of India is the agency that regulates wireless regulations in India. All wireless products must obtain the approval of the WPC before entering the market. In India, frequency bands are divided into two categories: those that are free to use and those that are not yet available. For the free and open frequency bands, such equipment only needs to apply for the ETA (equipment type approval) certificate; However, for other frequency bands that are not freely available, a license application is required. Both the ETA and the license holder must be a locally registered company. Based on CE RED or FCC ID (local standards in India), 2G/3G/4G requires mobile operators to apply.

Introduction to WPC Certification in India

The Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing (WPC) of India is the agency that regulates wireless regulations in India. All wireless products must obtain the approval of the WPC before entering the market. Wireless communication products in India are respectively regulated by two regulatory bodies, namely the Wireless Planning and Coordination Department (WPC) and the Communications Engineering Centre (TEC), based on their types. In India, frequency bands are divided into two categories: those that are free to use and those that are not yet available. For the free and open frequency bands, such equipment only needs to apply for the ETA (equipment type approval) certificate; However, for other frequency bands that are not freely available, a license application is required. Both the ETA and the license holder must be a locally registered company. Based on CE R&TTE or FCC ID (local Indian standards)

According to the memorandum released by India's WPC on February 26, 2019, the European Technical Approval (ETA) certification will be exempted for low-power products using exempted frequency bands (such as those using Bluetooth, NFC, etc.).

Local importers/agents in India can apply for self-declaration (SDOC) for customs clearance by using RF test reports, paying WPC fees and providing relevant shipping information.

Basic information of WPC certification

Compulsory certification

No factory inspection is required

Sample testing is required, or if a CE RF report can be provided, no sample is needed

No local testing is required

Local representatives are needed.

The certification cycle is 3 to 4 weeks

The certificate is valid for a long time.

Specifically, any wireless transmission less than 3000 Ghz and without manual control is regarded as "wireless communication" as defined by WPC. These frequency bands fall within the control scope of WPC. That is to say, wireless transmission with a frequency higher than 3000 Ghz (such as infrared) is not regarded as "wireless communication". WPC certification does not control these frequency bands. As India has both free and non-open frequency bands, for wireless communication products whose frequency bands and output power fall within the controlled range, an ETA certificate must be applied for from the WPC. In addition, the holders of ETA must all be locally registered companies. In addition, WPC accepts the conversion of RF reports from CE reports to WPC certification without the need to provide samples or tests.

WPC frequency band

All wireless devices that can operate in the approved frequency band. The following frequency bands are free:

2.40 to 2.4835 GHz

5.15 to 5.350 GHz

5.725 to 5.825 GHz

5.825 to 5.875 GHz

402 to 405 MHz

865 to 867 MHz

26.957-27.283 MHz

335 MHz for remote control of crane

20 to 200 KHz.

13.56 MHz

433 to 434 MHz

WPC certification requirements

Wireless product certification in India can be divided into two modes: ETA (Equipment Type of Approval) certification and License. The determination basis comes from the working frequency band used by the applied equipment. For free and open frequency bands such as 13.56 MHz, 433MHz, 2.4GHz, 5.725-5.825 GHz, etc., ETA certification application is required. If the device uses other non-free open frequency bands, such as GSM, WCDMA mobile phones, etc., a license needs to be applied for.

For ETA certification, India recognizes European standards, and WPC signs the certificate through an audit report. As for the License, it is necessary to meet the standard requirements of India.

For ETA applications, the product does not need to be sent to India for testing. As long as the product has an R&TTE report, an approval application can be submitted to the WPC.

Applicable product scope

Equipment with a radio transmitting device. It includes mobile (GSM or WCDMA) mobile phones, wireless local area network (WLAN) devices such as Wi-Fi devices, Bluetooth devices, Zigbee devices, WiMAX devices, RFID devices, contactless smart card readers, and combines some other RF transmitter products. In addition, only receivers do not require WPC certificates, such as GPS products.

Application process

1. The customer submits samples and materials, and the application is submitted to the GTG Guangce Group laboratory.

2. Submit the CE RED report and related documents to WPC (if there is no CE RED report, ITL is responsible for conducting the test and issuing the CE RED test report);

3. After WPC review and approval, an ETA certificate will be issued.

WPC SDOC application process

1) Submit your license application online in the appropriate categories at www.wpc.dot.gov.in without skipping any steps

2) After filling it out online, read the provided list.

3) After filling in online, print it out from the application ID.

4) Depending on the specific circumstances, submit a hard copy of the relevant application form and a printed copy of the application ID to the WPC office/RLO.

5) Operate in accordance with the subsequent instructions of WPC. Keep a close eye on the status of license applications on the website.

- Provide the RF test report of the shipment model. This report must be issued by a qualified laboratory to be accepted.

The local importer or agency company reviews whether the test report is genuine and does not require any changes.

- Pay the WPC fee;

Inform the laboratory of the test report, payment documents and shipping information (estimated shipping date)

The scope of regulated products

WPC covers all equipment equipped with radio transmitting devices. Wireless local area network (WLAN) devices, such as Wi-Fi devices, Bluetooth devices, Zigbee devices, WiMAX devices, RFID devices, contactless smart card readers, and products that combine some other RF transmitters.

TEC is a communication or network device that interfaces with public networks or wide area networks (WAN) services, including mobile (GSM, WCDMA, LTE, 2g, 3g, 4g) mobile phones. Common telecommunication network interfaces include T1/ E1, ISDN BRI, PRI ISDN, ADSL, serial and analog PSTN, etc.

Laws, regulations and certification requirements

WPC

Wireless product certification in India can be divided into two modes: ETA (Equipment Type of Approval) certification and License. The determination basis comes from the working frequency band used by the applied equipment. For free and open frequency bands such as 13.56 MHz, 433MHz, 2.4GHz, 5.725-5.825 GHz, etc., ETA certification application is required. If the device uses other non-free open frequency bands, such as GSM, WCDMA mobile phones, etc., a license needs to be applied for.

For ETA certification, India recognizes European standards, and WPC signs the certificate through an audit report. As for the License, it is necessary to meet the standard requirements of India.

For the ETA application, the product does not need to be sent to India for testing. The product can submit the approval application to WPC as long as it has the RED or FCC ID report.

TEC

There are several forms of TEC certification for terminal communication products, including Interface Approval and Type Approval, etc.

The Interface Approval is based on the Interface Requirements (IR) standards issued by TEC. The Type Approval is based on the Generic Requirements (GR) standards issued by TEC.

Product samples must be sent to a laboratory recognized by TEC in India for testing. After the products pass the tests, the laboratory will issue relevant test reports. After obtaining the reports, the applicant should submit an application for recognition to TEC.

Certification category

ETA (Equipment Type of Approval) certification: Free open frequency bands such as 13.56 MHz, 433MHz, 2.4GHz, 5.725-5.825 GHz, etc.

License: Non-free and open frequency bands, such as GSM and WCDMA mobile phones.

For ETA certification, India recognizes European standards, and WPC signs the certificate through an audit report. As for the License, it is necessary to meet the standard requirements of India.

For ETA applications, the product does not need to be sent to India for testing. As long as the product has an R&TTE report, an approval application can be submitted to the WPC.

Certification Instructions

The licensees of WPC and TEC must be local companies in India.

Indian WPC certification certificate