The Centre on Tuesday eased import norms for prototypes, sample products, test and measurement equipment in license-exempt bands without the need for ‘Equipment Type Approval (ETA)’.

Importers are required to get ETA certification from the Wireless Planning Commission (WPC) under the Department of Telecom (DoT) for products such as Radio Broadcast Transmitter, TV Broadcast Transmitter and Communication Jamming equipment.

The DoT in September had issued a memorandum stating that import of mobile handsets having bluetooth and Wi-Fi can be regulated under the foreign trade policy.

DoT in a statement said that this is “To help promote ‘Make in India’ by manufacturing latest and high-tech products for domestic and exports and to encourage domestic research and development activities, innovation.”

In addition, the DoT also has enabled ETA through self-certification in its step forward for commercial/finished product imports under the above categories, simplifying regulatory regime while ensuring compliance as well as reducing transaction costs.

It is important to mention that the National Frequency Allocation Plan 2018 has taken a radical step in enhancing the license exempt spectrum in 5 GHz band to 605 MHz to trigger enhanced deployment of Wi-Fi services, consumer products and short range devices for various applications in license exempt bands, it added.