India Enables 6 GHz Band for WPC ETA-SD Certification
12. March 2026India’s telecommunications regulator has expanded the scope of the WPC ETA-SD certification by enabling the use of the 6 GHz de-licensed frequency band (5945–6425 MHz) in the Saral Sanchar portal. The update follows GSR 47(E) issued on 20 January 2026 and introduces new compliance considerations for wireless device manufacturers seeking market access. The change allows applicants to include the 6 GHz band when applying for equipment authorization through the online portal. Wireless communication devices usually require WPC certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.
Update to WPC Portal and 6 GHz Band Eligibility
The Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing has updated the Saral Sanchar portal to align with the regulatory notification under GSR 47(E). As part of this update, applicants submitting applications for Equipment Type Approval under the ETA-SD (Self-Declaration) scheme can now declare operation within the 5945–6425 MHz de-licensed spectrum band.
The introduction of the 6 GHz band expands the regulatory framework for short-range wireless technologies, including products that may rely on higher-bandwidth connectivity such as Wi-Fi and other low-power communication systems. By allowing this band under ETA-SD filings, the WPC portal now supports certification pathways for devices designed to operate in this newly available spectrum range.
Manufacturers and importers submitting new applications through the Saral Sanchar system can therefore include the 6 GHz band directly within their certification request, provided the device specifications comply with the relevant WPC technical requirements for de-licensed spectrum usage.
Implications for Previously Certified Devices
The portal update also introduces specific requirements for devices that already hold a WPC ETA-SD certificate but are later modified to support the 6 GHz band. If a previously certified device or model is updated—such as through a software upgrade—to enable operation in the 5945–6425 MHz range, the existing certification cannot simply be amended.
In these situations, applicants must first withdraw the previously issued ETA-SD certificate and then submit a new application reflecting the updated radio capabilities. This ensures that the WPC authorization accurately reflects the technical configuration of the product placed on the Indian market.
For certain special cases, the WPC authority may allow applicants to consult directly regarding possible certificate modifications or other regulatory guidance. Manufacturers planning to update existing devices should therefore assess certification implications early in the product update cycle to avoid disruptions to compliance or market access.
Further regulatory details and procedural guidance related to WPC certifications and portal updates may be available through official certification and regulatory information resources.
WPC certification is necessary for wireless products in order to be used and sold in India.
The national broadcasting authority WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) is responsible for this certification, in order to regulate the issuing of issuing of amateur radio licenses and the allocation and monitoring of the frequency spectrum.
If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). There is no cost or obligation for us to check for you. If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.
For more information about WPC certification, please refer to our free brochure “WPC Certification Made Easy“.
