Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider Authorisation, or simply DCIP authorisation, is a legal authorisation issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in India. Businesses who want to establish, operate, maintain or expand specified digital connectivity infrastructure in the country like wireline network, radio access network and wireless local area network, transmission links or in-building solutions are required to obtain this authorisation.
In this blog post, we shall discuss the latest guidelines for the DCIP authorisation. So, if you want to start a telecom business that provides digital connectivity infrastructure, we highly recommend going through this post.
DCIP authorisation is governed by the Telecommunications (Authorisation for Telecommunication Network) Rules, 2026. Under these rules, the DCIP authorisation means “the authorisation to establish, operate, maintain or expand the telecommunication network referred to as such in sub-rule (2) of rule 42 [of the Rules]”.
The said sub-rule states the following:
“(2) Digital connectivity infrastructure provider authorisation consists of authorisation to establish, operate, maintain or expand the following telecommunication network, namely:—
(a) telecommunication equipment and systems required for establishing wireline terrestrial network, radio access network, wireless local area network, transmission link or in-building solution; and
(b) telecommunication network authorised under infrastructure provider authorisation.”
The latest rules and guidelines for the digital infrastructure authorisation, as of 2026, are as follows:
The entity seeking the digital connectivity authorisation from DoT must be a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013. Sole proprietorships, limited liability partnerships, partnership firms and other entities are ineligible for the said authorisation.
The general character of the company’s management must be sound in terms of its track record in providing telecommunication services or in establishing, operating, maintaining or expanding telecommunication networks responsibly.
Authorised entities possessing the digital infrastructure authorisation are permitted to set up, operate, maintain or expand specified digital connectivity infrastructure such as work, radio access network and wireless local area network, transmission links or in-building solutions.
Additionally, they are also permitted to establish, maintain and expand telecommunication network authorised under infrastructure provider authorisation.
The application for seeking DCIP authorisation needs to be filed online with the DoT through the designated portal known as the Telecom eServices Portal. The Department shall not entertain any applications filed offline for seeking the authorisation.
DCIP authorisation offers an initial validity period of 20 years. Renewal is necessary to continue to provide the permitted telecom services under the authorisation.
The application for the DCIP authorisation renewal needs to be filed 12 months prior to the expiry of the current term of authorisation, and has to be accompanied by application processing fee.
Unlike many telecom authorisations, the DCIP authorisation does not have an initial guarantee requirement. The applicant entities, however, still need to pay Rs. 10 Lakh as Entry Fee and Rs. 10,000 as Processing Fee to the DoT.
In the telecom infrastructure and services sector, foreign direct investment (FDI) is permitted up to 100% under automatic route. The FDI in the authorised entity, if any, shall be in compliance with the Government of India’s FDI policy issued from time to time and in alignment with applicable laws.
If an authorized entity files an application with DoT for telecom migration under the Telecommunications (Terms and Conditions for Migration) Rules, 2026, the relinquishment of any overlapping authorization for that entity will take effect on the effective date of the migration.
It is important to note that the relinquishment of the overlapping authorization will not extinguish or affect the pre-existing rights and liabilities that arise from it, which will still apply in accordance with Telecommunications (Terms and Conditions for Migration) Rules, 2026.
The central government has the authority to revoke the DCIP authorization of an entity if it is discovered at any stage that any representations, submissions or documents provided by the entity during the application process were false. Other grounds for revocation include: if the new authorized entity is directed to be placed into liquidation, if it is ordered to be wound up, or if the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India recommends the revocation of authorization.
Before issuing the order, the central government will provide the entity an opportunity to be heard. Once the order gets issued, it will be publicly published on central government’s portal and will take effect on the sixty-first day from the date of publication. The entity is then required to give public notice of the revocation order within forty-eight hours of its publication.
The entity holding the DCIP authorisation must ensure that the majority of directors on the board are Indian citizens. The chief officer who is in charge of telecom network and security, officers in charge of core telecom network and system administrators of the entity must be resident Indian citizens.
You May Also Read: Guidelines for IP Authorisation
The Digital Connectively Infrastructure Provider Authorisation is a telecom authorisation granted by the Department of Telecommunications to allow an entity to establish, operate, maintain or expand specified digital connectivity infrastructure in the country like wireline network, radio access network and wireless local area network, transmission links or in-building solutions.
The application for seeking the authorisation needs to be filed via Telecom eServices Portal in the prescribed format and manner. Once issued, the authorisation remains valid for a period of 20 years initially, and can be renewed for another 20 years after this period. The application for renewal needs to be filed 12 months prior to the expiry of the current term of authorisation.
For assistance in obtaining the DCIP authorisation from DoT, you can contact our Telecom Compliance Team at Registrationwala. Our team can also assist you with applying for other telecom authorisations.
Q1. Which authority issues the Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider Authorisation in India?
A. The Department of Telecommunications is the concerned authority for issuing this authorisation to eligible entities in India.
Q2. For how long does the DCIP authorisation remain valid?
A. Initially, it stays valid for a period of 20 years. To provide authorised services after the expiry of current term of authorisation, filing an application for the authorisation renewal is necessary.
Q3. When does the renewal application need to be filed for DCIP authorisation?
A. It needs to be filed 12 months prior to the expiry of the authorisation’s current term. While filing the renewal application, the prescribed processing needs to be paid.
Q4. Which telecom rules govern the DCIP authorisation?
A. Telecommunications (Authorisation for Telecommunication Network) Rules, 2026, govern this authorisation.
Q5. What is the entry fee for the DCIP authorization?
A. The entry fee for this authorization is Rs. 10 Lakh.
Q6. What is the application processing fee for the Digital Connectivity Provider License?
A. The application processing fee for the Digital Connectivity License granted by DoT is Rs. 10,000.
Q7. What is the initial guarantee for the DCIP authorization?
A. For the DCIP authorization, the initial guarantee is NIL.
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Disclaimer: This blog post is for educational purposes only. The information provided in this post should not be taken as financial, business or legal advice. |
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