The huge ecosystem of wireless technologies moving India into a digital environment comprises smartphones, IoT gadgets, and 5G networks. The genesis of this wireless revolution is the WPC Wing, or rather the national center in charge of regulating, managing, and engineering the radio frequency spectrum, simply known as the Wireless Planning and Coordination WPC Wing.

To achieve legal access to the market and long-term innovation as manufacturers, importers, or technology developers, it is crucial to be aware of the mandate of WPC and the approval process of the radio device, as well as to consider both the requirements of RF testing and 5G radio frequency test compliance.

What is the Wireless Planning and Coordination WPC?

WPC Wing falls under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India, with the role of delivering its wireless planning and coordination functions. It is a national radio regulatory nodal agency in the country, established in 1952 and is responsible for:

• Prioritizing, designing, controlling, and managing the finite natural resources of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum and satellite orbits, the geo-stationary satellites and non-geostationary satellites.
• Introducing licensing of all wireless stations in India, which was obligatory in the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933.
• Assigning frequency bands and supervising how it is used to provide effective and interference-free wireless communications.
• Working with the national, international organizations to ensure the improvement of spectrum policies and removing interferences.

WPC wireless planning and coordination wing is based in New Delhi and has regional offices at Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Guwahati.

What is the WPC Wireless Planning and Coordination Responsible For?

The wireless planning and coordination WPC is responsible for a broad range of regulatory and technical functions:

• Spectrum Management: Spectrum management involves the provision and control of the RF Spectrum to all wireless applications, including mobile networks, satellite communications.
• Licensing: Analysis and Licensing Issues: Granting licenses to wireless stations, commercial wireless stations, including the issuance of licenses to private and government users.
• Frequency Allocation Plans: The process of planning and revising the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) to maximize the use of available spectrum
• International Coordination: Speaking on behalf of India in international organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) or joining the development of global spectrum policy.
• Interference Resolution: Supervising the usage of the spectrum and clearing detrimental interference, notably in dense urban regions or the case of massive events
• Technical Evaluation: Overseeing the technical assessment of wireless products, including the review of RF testing for WPC compliance and 5G frequency test results, to ensure devices meet regulatory norms before approval.

WPC Approval Process: An Overview

In India, all devices dealing with radio signals by transmitting and receiving must be approved by the WPC to be allowed into the country. The procedure is strict and it entails various major steps so as to make sure that all the rules of the country and the technicalities are adhered to.

Key Steps in the WPC Approval Process

• Find Applicability: Find out whether your product needs WPC approval. Its range includes such things as Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, RFID readers, drones, and any RF-equipped device working in either license-exempt or licensed bands.
• RF Testing of WPC Compliance: Testing at an accredited laboratory is required to ensure validity and effectiveness; the RF testing has to include that the device can operate within authorized frequency bands, and does not violate emission, power, and safety requirements. In the case of 5G and advanced wireless merchandise, a 5G frequency test is further stipulated to ensure that the merchandise has complied with the current spectrum regimes and technical standards.
• Preparation of Documents: Assemble all the technical papers such as product datasheets, circuit diagrams, user manuals, and RF test records.
• Application Filing: The application, along with supporting documents, should be filed online in the Saral Sanchar portal, which acts as the online portal of the government to obtain a wireless license.
• Evaluation and Review: The WPC satisfactorily reviews the application and tests the RF performance of the product against WPC requirements, and can ask for clarification or other data.
• Approval and Certification: Once the review is successful, the WPC can provide Equipment Type Approval (ETA) or other respective licenses, and the product becomes legally able to be imported, sold, or used in India.

Note: RF compliance and 5G frequency test are done in WPC-accredited labs, (e.g., Sunren), which offer the needed services of testing and documentation, but do not themselves provide WPC certifications directly.

What is ETA and WPC?

The WPC system has one widespread certification, and it is known as ETA (Equipment Type Approval). It is mandatory to label wireless products that use unlicensed frequency bands, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and some IoT devices. The ETA process involves:

• RF Testing for WPC Compliance: Confirming the device’s emissions and frequency use are within regulatory limits.
• Documentation: Truthful programming of technical files and RF examination results.
• WPC Review: WPC evaluates the data and, provided they comply, WPC can issue ETA certificates.

WPC is the regulatory authority overseeing this process, ensuring that only compliant devices enter the Indian market.

How to Get WPC License in India?

For businesses and manufacturers, the question of How to get a WPC license in India? It is a practical one. The process involves:

• Product Identification: Determine if your device needs an ETA or another WPC license.
• RF Testing: Arrange for comprehensive RF testing for WPC compliance and, where applicable, a 5G frequency test at an accredited Indian laboratory.
• Document Compilation: Gather all necessary technical and compliance documents.
• Online Application: Register and submit your application via the Saral Sanchar portal.
• Fee Payment: Pay the requisite government fees online.
• Review and Clarification: Respond promptly to any queries from the WPC during the evaluation phase.
• Approval: Upon approval, receive the ETA or license, enabling legal import, sale, and operation of the device in India.

It is critical to ensure all documentation is accurate and that testing is performed by recognized labs to avoid delays or rejections.

WPC Rules for Wireless Equipment

The WPC rules for wireless equipment are designed to ensure that all wireless devices:

• Operate only in permitted frequency bands, as defined in the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP).
• Do not exceed the specified emission and power limits.
• Undergo mandatory RF testing for WPC compliance before approval.
• For 5G and other new technologies, pass a 5G frequency test to confirm alignment with the current spectrum policy.
• They are accompanied by accurate technical documentation and user information.

These rules apply to both imported and domestically manufactured products. Non-compliant devices may be confiscated by customs or barred from market entry.

RF Testing for WPC Compliance and 5G Frequency Test

RF testing for WPC compliance is a cornerstone of the approval process. Accredited labs conduct detailed assessments to verify:

• Frequency range and channel occupancy
• Output power and spurious emissions
• Modulation characteristics and bandwidth
• Immunity to interference and coexistence with other wireless services

For cutting-edge devices, a 5G frequency test is essential to ensure that the equipment can safely and efficiently operate in newly allocated 5G bands without causing or suffering from interference.

Key points:

• Only RF test reports from Indian NABL-accredited labs are accepted for WPC submissions.
• Testing must be conducted as per WPC’s technical guidelines and referenced international standards.
• The results form the technical foundation of the WPC’s review and approval process.

The Role of the WPC Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing in India’s Wireless Future

With the wireless landscape WPC wireless planning and coordination wing plays a key role in developing India wireless. Its day-to-day duties are:

• Gradually reviewing the spectrum policies and modifying the existing ones to support new technologies, such as 5G, IoT, and satellite broadband.
• Maintaining a well-rounded spectrum distribution among all players, including telecom operators as well as public safety.
• Surveillance and elimination of interference, particularly in an exponentially increasing number of wireless devices and systems.
• Enabling the development of national and international partnerships to align Indian spectrum management with global best practice.

Best Practices for WPC Compliance

To find easy approval of the WPC, the best practices to be taken by manufacturers, importers, and technology developers are:

• Test Early: Start RF testing on WPC compliance and 5G frequency test during product development so that existing problems can be found and solved early, ready to make the final submission.
• Read Up: Keep up with changes to WPC regulations governing wireless gear and spectrum-use plans.
• Document: Ensure comprehensive and accurate documentation of all the results of RF testing, technical specifications, and compliance documents.
• Be timely in responding: Respond to any WPC questions or clarifications promptly before delays are made.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the task of the WPC wireless planning and coordination?

WPC has the responsibility of regulating and administering the use of wireless devices and radio frequencies in India.

What is the WPC wireless planning and coordination responsible for?

WPC is responsible for regulating and managing the use of radio frequencies and wireless devices in India.

What is WPC approval?

WPC approval is the official permission required from India’s Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing to use or import wireless equipment.

What is WPC in networking?

In networking, WPC refers to the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing that governs the use of wireless technologies and spectrum.

What is the full form of WPC team?

The full form of WPC is Wireless Planning and Coordination.

Conclusion

The wireless planning and coordination WPC Wing plays the pinnacle role in the wireless regime landscape in India as it facilitates the management of the nation’s spectrum resource in a manner that is efficient, safe, and international.

To all those who have the inclination to distribute their wireless products in India, it is necessary to gain knowledge about the approval process of the WPC and the significance of the RF test which will lead to WPC compliance and the terms and conditions of the 5G frequency test.

To realize this aim, manufacturers are required to use WPC rules of wireless equipment and collaborate with accredited testing partners to be compliant and open up their revenues in India as the country connects to the future.