Removal of Wireless Operating License Requirement for Specified Telecom Licenses
DoT telecom statutory instrument 20-405/2013-AS-I Vol.-V(Pt-1) · 05 Feb 2026
Official title
Removal of requirement to obtain Wireless Operating License
Official record
Open source pageSummary
Check the official recordWhat changed
The Department of Telecommunications has removed the requirement to obtain a Wireless Operating License (WOL) for several categories of telecom licenses, including Captive VSAT CUG, CMRTS, Unified License (UL), and Unified License (Virtual Network Operator) with specific authorizations such as NLD, ILD, PMRTS, GMPCS, Internet Service, and M2M. This decision takes effect immediately. Licensees remain obligated to obtain frequency assignments from the WPC Wing of the Department of Telecommunications to operate transmitting stations. Entities that have not been granted a license under Section 4 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, must continue to follow the existing procedure to obtain a WOL for establishing or operating a transmitting station.
What you must do
- Licensees must obtain frequency assignment from the WPC Wing of the DoT.
Key dates
- Effective from
- 11 Mar 2024
Document text
Government of India Ministry of Communications Department of Telecommunications (Access Services Division) Sanchar Bhawan, 20-Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110001
No. 20-405/2013-AS-I Vol.-V(Pt-1) Dated: 11.03.2024
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Removal of requirement to obtain Wireless Operating License (WOL)
Please refer license amendment no. 20-271/2010-AS-I (Vol.-II) dated 02.11.2016 wherein requirement to obtain Wireless Operating license (WOL) for Access Services authorisation in CMTS/ UAS/ Unified License was removed. In continuation to the above referred letter dated 02.11.2016, it has now been decided to remove the requirement to obtain Wireless Operating License (WOL) for Captive Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Closed User Group (CUG) and CMRTS licenses, Unified License (UL) and Unified License (Virtual Network Operator) with authorizations of National Long Distance(NLD), International Long Distance (ILD), Public Mobile Radio Trunking Service (PMRTS), Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite(GMPCS), Internet Service and Machine to Machine (M2M) service with immediate effect.
-
However, for entities who intends to establish or operate a transmitting station and have not been granted any license under section 4 of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, WOL will continue to be required as per existing procedure.
-
The licensee, who obtains license under section 4 of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, shall still be required frequency assignment from WPC Wing of the DoT permitting use of appropriate frequency(ies) and parameters for the establishment, maintenance or operation of transmitting stations.
(Ashok Kumar) Director (AS-I) Ph.No.2303 6864
To, All Stakeholders.
Copy to:
- Secretary (TRAI)
- DG (T) HQ, DoT HQ.
- CMD (BSNL)/ CMD (MTNL)
- Sr DDG (TEC) / Wireless Advisor/ DDG (LFP) / DDG(LFA) / DDG (SA) / DDG(SA-II)/ CVO, DoT.
- DDG (CS)/DDG(DS)/DDG(SAT)/DDG (NT)/DDG(A/C) DoT HQ
- Director (IT) may kindly arrange to upload this letter on the website of DoT.
- All Directors of AS Division.
Source details
- Source
- Department of Telecommunications
- Type
- telecom statutory instrument
- Published by source
- 05 Feb 2026
- Document number
- 20-405/2013-AS-I Vol.-V(Pt-1)
- Issuing division
- Access Services Division
- Effective date
- 11 Mar 2024
- Coverage area
- telecom