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Access Services

Empowering telecom with secure, high-quality wired and wireless services.

Access Services

Empowering telecom with secure, high-quality wired and wireless services.

Access Services Licenses are a category of regulatory authorizations granted by Department of Telecommunications to telecom operators. These licenses enable telecom operators to establish and operate the telecom infrastructure to deliver services such as voice, data, Internet and Video Communications within designated geographical areas or circles. The term "access services" typically refers to the services that enable end-users to "access" the network infrastructure for the purposes of communication or data transmission.
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Details of Service

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) grants licenses to telecom operators under the Access Services License which includes the following types of access services:

  1. Fixed-line Access Services: These services allow operators to provide fixed-line telephone connections (landlines) and broadband services over wired infrastructure. They may include services like broadband internet via DSL, FTTH (Fiber to the Home), etc.
  2. Mobile Access Services: These services enable operators to offer mobile voice and data services. Mobile network operators deploy infrastructure like cell towers, base stations, and spectrum to deliver wireless communication services. It includes services such as:
    1. Voice calls
    2. Mobile data (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G)
    3. SMS and MMS
  3. Internet Access Services: These services specifically cater to providing internet connectivity to customers via mobile, fixed-line broadband, or wireless technologies.
    1. Broadband Internet
    2. Wi-Fi Services
    3. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)
  4. Video Access Services: This category involves the delivery of video communication services over telecom infrastructure. It includes services like cable TV, IPTV, and video conferencing.
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Who Can Apply

The eligibility to apply for authorization to provide access services in India generally includes the following entities:

  1. Indian Companies:
    1. A company registered under the Companies Act, 2013 is the main eligible entity for obtaining Access Service Authorization.
    2. The company's Memorandum of Association (MoA) should include objectives related to "Internet Service Provider" or similar activities to align with offering access services
  2. Other Entities (Specifically for UL (VNO) Access Service Category B): The Unified License (Virtual Network Operator) [UL (VNO)] framework has a specific Category B for Access Services that expands eligibility to include:
    1. Partnership Firms registered under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932.
    2. Proprietorship Firms.
    3. Shops and Establishments registered under relevant state laws.
    4. Any legal person.
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Documents Required

Application form (to be filled online)
Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (CoI) along with Articles of Association (AOA) and Memorandum of Association (MOA)
Board resolution regarding appointment of statutory auditor/company secretary along with specimen signature of CA/CS.
Original Power of Attorney by resolution of board of Directors that the person signing the application is authorized signatory on stamp paper.
Certificates to be issued by CA/CS (as appointed by Board Resolution)
Foreign Equity Details
Post submission of the application along with supporting documents, the complete application is scrutinized and after approval, the Letter of Intent (LoI) is issued to the applicant.
The LoI contains various details like service area authorization, details of Entry fee (non-refundable), Performance Bank Guarantee and Financial Bank Guarantee (FBG) to be paid, previous authorizations, if any and effective date of license agreement.
When filling out the application form for obtaining Access Service Authorization, the list of required documents is available at the link mentioned below:
https://eservices.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/editor-files/AS%20FAQ.pdf
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Fees and Charges

The details of Processing Fee, Entry fee, PBG and FBG for Access Service(Telecom Circle/ Metro Area)  Authorization is readily available at Annexure-II of UL and UL-VNO License Agreement. UL and UL-VNO License agreement are available for ready reference at S.no. 197 and 198 of URL: https://dot.gov.in/unified-licencing. Amendments in Annexure-II of UL agreement is available at Sr No 178,179,180 and 181 of URL: https://dot.gov.in/unified-licencing.

 

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Application Process

1
Registration The Applicant companies desirous of getting the Access Service Authorization under Unified License/UL-VNO Agreement may submit the application online on SARAL (Simplified Application for Registration and Licenses) SANCHAR portal i.e. https://saralsanchar.gov.in. The Applicant companies are required to do a one-time registration on the portal. Once the registration is done the applicant company needs to apply for any of the desired authorization under UL/UL-VNO regime.
2
Application Submission Submit the application form and required documentation to the designated DoT office.
3
Processing The application undergoes a compliance and background check.
4
Approval Upon successful review, the license is issued, allowing the applicant to operate Access Services within the approved territories
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Statistics

Count of Access Service Authorizations under UL and UL(VNO) as on 31.12.2024 are

 

Apply/View Status
Nodal Cell Contact / Help Desk
https://dot.gov.in/directory

Validity

20 years for Access service authorizations under UL and 10 years for Access service authorizations under UL (VNO).

User Manual
A comprehensive user manuals are available for applicants.
User Manual for Online Registration 3.38 MB
Read
New
Telecommunications
Act 2023
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Frequently Asked Questions

The updated version of UL/UL(VNO) license agreement is available on DoT Website. It can also be found at below mentioned links:

UL - https://dot.gov.in/circulars/license-agreement-unified-license-vno

VNO - https://dot.gov.in/circulars/license-agreement-unified-license

 

The applicant must be an Indian Company, registered under the Companies Act, 2013. UL and UL(VNO) can be applied by any  Indian companies except for Access Service Cat B authorisation under UL(VNO) which can be applied for by Indian companies, partnership firm, proprietorship firm, Shops and establishment and legal person.

The Applicant companies desirous of getting the Access Service Authorization under Unified License/UL-VNO may submit the application on portal i.e. https://saralsanchar.gov.in. The Applicant companies are required to do a one-time registration on the portal.

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