Telecoms Testing | DoT Reveals Spectrum Regulatory Sandbox Guidelines

On the sidelines of curtain raiser event for the upcoming India Mobile Congress 2024 (IMC 2024), Union Telecom and IT minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw has unveiled details on Spectrum Regulatory Sandbox guidelines for testing of telecom equipment.

As per the guidelines shared by the minister, the Spectrum Regulatory Sandbox and wireless test zones will simplify the whole process of testing in telecoms and allow organisations, telecom operators, telecom gear manufacturers including educational institutions to test their telecom equipment by registering on the portal.

The innovation of Spectrum Regulatory Sandbox will go a long way in driving a lot of innovation for the telecom industry in India. "As part of this initiative, we will be giving a very easy portal-based permission system where - lets say a college in Nagpur or Coimbatore design a new kind of radio - instead of coming to the DoT for license etc - they can use this innovative initiative. By paying a token amount of INR 1000 they get the permission to test the equipment. That was the thought process by which the regulatory sandbox was designed. I am very happy to launch this today."

Big Advantages of Spectrum Regulatory Sandbox  

Enhancing ease of doing business and promoting "Make in India" in wireless products.

Development of technology for utilization and improving efficiency of greenfield Spectrum Bands.

WiTe Zones categorized into two: allow experimentation in unassigned and assigned spectrum bands.

Application process simplified: Applicants can easily apply through Saral Sanchar portal.

Facilitates access to research and development opportunities.

The upcoming India Mobile Congress (IMC 2024) is set to be held during 15-19 October 2024 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.