DOT is holding WPC ETA Approval for Wifi Enabled devices from China

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DOT is holding WPC ETA Approval for Wifi Enabled devices from China

Ever since the “cold war” with China, the Department of Telecommunication have stopped giving it approval for import.

Currently, it has been six months since the last time the Department of Telecommunications gave approvals for Wi Fi enabled devices. That delay has impacted mobile phone launches for companies including Apple, Oppo, Vivo and Xaomi. Not just cellular phones, the apprehension to approve Chinese devices has also caused delay for laptop makers of Dell, HP< Lenovo. 

After the Bureau of Indian Standards, it’s the Department of Telecommunication that is being used by the government to restrict the inflow of Chinese devices in India. 

The Department of Telecommunications have been apprehensive, and by that we mean not willing, to give approvals for Wi-Fi Enabled devices from China. That decision has impacted companies including Xaomi, Oppo, Vivo and even Apple. Additionally, laptop companies like HP, Dell, Nokia and Ericsson have also been affected by this decision. 

What is the approval required for the import of wireless products?

When it comes to wireless devices, importing them is only possible after the importers have acquired the Equipment Type Approval from the Wireless wing of DOT. The products that are covered under this approval are as follows:

• Bluetooth Devices
• Mobile phones
• Printers
• Headphones

And other wireless products. However, the Wireless Planning Commission, the wireless wing working under DOT to issue Equipment Type Approval (ETA certificate) has stopped doing so since November 2020. Additionally, the department isn’t responding to calls from the companies to resolve this matter. 

When asked how deep does this matter go, one executive replied that there is no approval involved. In fact, the certificate is automatically generated about 7 to 10 days of filing the WPC ETA application. 

What is bothering the companies currently is that Department of Telecommunication have not any further demands. In their  perspective, the department has needlessly held their certificate hostage as a part of an passive aggressive move. 

“The DOT must break the silence on these delays. And if they require further checks and documents, they must tell us. There are many wireless products that must come to the market because people are in need of them.”

The organizations want to get their applications back

Because the matter of certification is still hanging, The Cellular Operators’ Association of India and the Indian Cellular & Electronics Organizations have sent out request separately to the Department of Telecommunication to release the applications immediately. Right now, there are over 80 applications whose future is unknown. Lenovo by itself have been waiting with 40 applications. 

Non trade barrier would be unfruitful

Annoyed by the attempt of the government to isolate India from China when it comes to importing products, the company executives have said that the non-trade barrier that India has put forth won’t decouple India immediately from Chinese products. 

Military escalation leading to bad trade relations

Ever since the sourness that developed between the nations during the Galwan Valley showdown, New Delhi has been forcing companies to not import products, especially electronic products, from China. 

It’s not just the WPC ETA Approval

Wireless Planning Commission is not the only authority who has used this passively aggressive move to deter Chinese products. Bureau of Indian Standards, India’s control body for products, stayed applications for nearly 230 models of mobile phones, notebooks, tablets, smart watches, and earphones. 

Conclusion

Whether the move from WPC is a temporary measure or something long-lasting, it remains to be seen. But it’s important for importers to keep up with this news. If you want to stay updated with the comings and goings of India’s premiere certification authorities, stay in touch with Registrationwala's Dot Consultant. 

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