Unified Service Authorisation (USA) - VNO is a legal authorisation granted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to a Virtual Network Operator (VNO). It allows a VNO to provide services covered under Access Service Authorisation, Internet Service Authorisation and Long Distance Service Authorisation.
Instead of obtaining separate authorisations for each service, a company can get a single Unified Service Authorisation that covers all these services together. For assistance in securing this authorisation, contact Registrationwala’s telecom experts.
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The meaning of Unified Service Authorisation (USA) - VNO can be understood as a single legal authorisation granted by the DoT to a Virtual Network Operator (VNO) for the National Service Area. It combines the authorisations for Access Services, Internet Services and Long Distance Services under one authorisation.
In simple words, instead of obtaining separate authorisations for these services, a company can obtain one USA VNO to provide all these services across the National Service Area through a single authorisation. The application for the Unified Service Authorisation - VNO must be filed online via Telecom eServices Portal.
While filing the application, the applicant must ensure that all eligibility conditions are met and all the required documents and information are submitted correctly. For assistance with USA VNO application process, documentation and compliance, connect with the telecom experts at Registrationwala.
VNO full form is Virtual Network Operator. It is a widely used term in the telecom sector. The definition of a VNO can be understood as a telecom service provider that does not have a telecom network infrastructure of its own.
Instead, it leases this infrastructure from an authorised Network Service Operator (NSO) to provide telecom services to its customers. An NSO is a DoT-authorised operator that owns and operates telecom infrastructure.
The following services are permitted under the Unified Service Authorisation for VNO:
|
S. No. |
Permitted Service under Unified Service Authorisation - VNO |
Description |
|
1. |
Allows the VNO to provide the principal telecommunication services authorised under Access Service Authorisation by leasing the telecom network infrastructure of a parent NSO. This includes services like transmission/emission/reception of voice and non-voice messages (including video messages), intra-circle long distance calls and cell broadcast service among others. |
|
|
2. |
Allows the VNO to provide the principal telecommunication services authorised under Internet Service Authorisation by leasing the telecom infrastructure of a parent NSO. |
|
|
3. |
Allows the VNO to provide the principal telecommunication services authorised under Long Distance Service Authorisation by leasing authorised NSO’s telecom network infrastructure. It covers national long distance and international long distance services. |
The fee structure for the USA VNO authorisation, including application processing fee, entry fee and initial guarantee, is provided below:
|
Service Authorisation |
Application Processing Fee |
Entry Fee |
Initial Guarantee |
|
Unified Service Authorisation for VNO |
Rs. 1 Lakh |
Rs. 3 Crores |
Rs. 4.4 Crores |
The eligibility conditions for Unified Service Authorisation (USA) - VNO are listed below. Before applying, the applicant should ensure that all of these conditions are satisfied. Failure to meet any of requirements may result in rejection of application or delays in the grant of authorisation.
The entity must be a company incorporated under Companies Act, 2013 (other than One Person Company).
The company must meet minimum paid-up equity capital and minimum net worth requirements.
Foreign direct investment in company, if applicable, shall comply with FDI policy and applicable laws.
The company’s management must be of sound character.
The applicant must not have any pending dues.
If the company already holds one or more telecom authorisations/licences or is applying for additional authorisations, its total paid-up equity capital must be at least equal to combined minimum capital required for all such authorisations/licences.
In the above-mentioned case, the company's total net worth must also be at least equal to combined minimum net worth required for all such authorisations/licences.
The applicant must satisfy requirements laid down under Rule 12 of Telecom Authorisation Rules 2026.
The equity and net worth requirements for obtaining the unified authorisation for VNO are stated below:
|
Category |
Service Authorisation |
Service Area |
Minimum Equity Capital Requirement |
Minimum Networth Requirement |
|
Principal Telecommunication Services Authorisation (VNO) |
Unified Service Authorisation for VNO |
National Service Area |
Rs. 10 Crores |
Rs. 10 Crores |
While filing the VNO unified service authorisation application, the following documents are required:
Certified Copy of Board Resolution authorising the submission of the unified service authorization application.
Certified Copy of Board Resolution authorising the signatory to sign and submit the application and handle all the related matters.
Power of Attorney in favour of the authorised signatory.
Auditor's appointment letter and acceptance letter’s Certified Copies.
Certified Copy of Certificate of Incorporation of Company.
Certified Copies of Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (MoA). The MoA must include telecommunication services as a main object.
Net worth certificate.
Digital signature certificate.
Paid-up equity capital certificate.
Certificate showing Indian and foreign equity breakup.
FDI compliance certificate, if applicable.
Eligibility certificate under Rule 5 of Telecom Authorisation Rules 2026.
To obtain VNO unified service authorisation online, the following steps must be fulfilled:
Prior to filing the application, the applicant shall ensure the entity’s compliance with eligibility conditions, paid-up equity capital and net worth requirements, FDI policy, cross-holding conditions and prohibited investor restrictions.
Then, the applicant shall collect the necessary documents and information required for filing Unified Service Authorisation application for VNO.
After that, the application must be filed via the designated portal, i.e., Telecom eServices Portal. The necessary documents must be uploaded along with the application processing fee.
After receiving the application, DoT will examine it so as to verify the entity’s eligibility and compliance.
If the entity is found to be eligible for authorisation, the Department will issue Letter of Intent (LoI). The entity must then fulfill LoI conditions within prescribed time and submit Entry Fee and Initial Guarantee.
After successful compliance with all requirements, a Unique Authorisation Number will be generated and the Unified Service Authorisation for VNO will finally be granted to the entity.
A USA - VNO remains valid for 20 years from the date it is granted. If the authorisation holder wishes to continue operations beyond this period, a renewal application is required. The request for renewal must be filed at least 12 months before the existing authorisation expires.
Registrationwala is one of the trusted telecom consultancy firms in India. Our team includes Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, Lawyers and several other telecom experts. We have been helping businesses with obtaining telecom approvals and fulfilling telecom compliance requirements for more than 10 years.
When you choose Registrationwala for Unified Service Authorisation VNO in India, we help you at every single step involved in the process:
Check whether your company is eligible for authorisation.
Prepare and review all required documents for application.
File the application online via Telecom eServices Portal, on your behalf.
Track the unified authorisation application status regularly.
Reply to DoT queries, if any.
Guide you until the authorisation is finally granted.
A. Unified Service Authorisation (USA) - VNO covers the services authorised under Access Service Authorisation - VNO, Internet Service Authorisation - VNO, and Long Distance Service Authorisation - VNO through a single authorisation.
A. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) grants USA VNO in India.
A. The Department of Telecommunications operates under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
A. Yes. New applicants are now issued Unified Service Authorisation - VNO instead of the old UL VNO licence.
A. The processing fee is Rs. 1,00,000 (non-refundable).
A. The entry fee is Rs. 3 crore and the initial guarantee is Rs. 4.4 crore.
A. National Service Area means the entire territory of India where an authorised telecom operator, such as an NSO or a VNO, can provide services. It includes all States and Union Territories of India along with India's territorial waters, continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone.
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