DoT eases import norms for prototypes, testing equipment
27 Feb 2019
The Department of telecommunications (DoT) has issued instructions liberalising import norms for prototype, sample products and test and measurement equipment in licence-exempt bands without the need of ‘equipment type approval (ETA)’ in a bid to help promote `Make in India’.
DoT said the move would help local manufacturing of latest and high-tech products for domestic as well as for exports and encourage domestic research and development activities and innovation, DoT said.
The devices with radio-interfaces include laptops, notebooks, smart accessories, short range devices, cameras, scanners, printers and mobile handsets.
In addition, the DoT has enabled ETA through self-certification for commercial / finished product imports under the above categories, simplifying regulatory regime while ensuring compliance as well as reducing transaction costs.
These measures will enhance ease of doing business in the regulation of consumer wireless products and reduce timelines for clearances, a DoT release stated.
The National Digital Communication Policy 2018 has initiated several policy actions to catalyse investments in digital communication sector.
Equipment type approval from DoT has been one of the prerequisites for importing products operating in licence exempt bands. It may be noted that the National Frequency Allocation Plan 2018 has taken a radical step in enhancing the licence exempt spectrum in 5 GHz band to 605 MHz to trigger enhanced deployment of Wi-Fi services, consumer products and short rage devices for various applications in licence exempt bands.