The Hindu Business Line : DoT extends wireless operating licence validity to 5 years

In a move that would speed up the deployment of cellular services in the country, the Department of Telecom has extended the validity of the Wireless Operating Licence required for various radio equipment used by telecom operators to five years.

At present, operators are required to renew the licence for equipment such as towers and radio receivers every three to 12 months making the entire process cumbersome, as operators are rolling out their network across the country involving thousands of such equipment.

Decision welcomed

DoT has now decided that the operators need not renew their licence for a period of five years or till the time they have the licence to offer cellular services, whichever was earlier. Mr T.V. Ramachandran, Director General, COAI, said, "We welcome the decision by DoT. We had representation to the Government on this issue. This will help operators to roll out their network faster without spending much time on seeking Government approvals."

With the country's cellular market growing at four million subscribers a month there are at least 1,000 base stations being deployed by operators across the country every month. In addition, seven national operators have already rolled out their network across 3,000 towns and cities each.

"The DoT decision will enable telecom service providers to roll out networks in a much more speeder manner. This would obviate unnecessary complicated procedures and administrative problems. This will also lower the burden on the Wireless Planning Co-ordination wing, which is responsible for renewing these licences," said a cellular operator.

The DoT move is in line with its policy to simplify procedures and permission required for spectrum related issues. Recently, DoT had also eased out the norms for setting up cellular towers around airports and key installations.

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