How to Choose ISP License Category?

January 17, 2025
Registrationwala

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How to Choose ISP License Category?

How to Choose ISP License Category?

January 17, 2025

Registrationwala

ISP License stands for Internet Services Provider License. This license is issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to businesses who want to engage in providing internet services to their customers.

The ISP license doesn’t have one single category. There are 3 internet service provider license categories in total. Each internet service provider licence offers different network coverage areas to ISPs, and hence, their price varies accordingly.

If you’re planning to start an internet business in India, then you must know how to choose the right ISP certificate category. We’re here to help you with exactly this!

Categories of ISP License

In total, there are 3 internet service provider license categories, i.e., ISP License A Category, ISP License B Category and ISP License C Category. How do they differ from one another? Let’s find out:

ISP License - A Category

Category A ISP certificate license allows an internet service provider to operate PAN India. The application processing fee for this license is Rs. 50,000. The entry fee is Rs. 30 lakhs.

Category A ISP licence is ideal for businesses that want to expand their services nationally. ISP license - Category A is the most extensive license in terms of service coverage.

ISP License - B Category

This license is for state level operations. By obtaining it, a business can provide internet services in a state or any of the following metro cities: Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad.

This license is also suitable for internet businesses that want to provide services in a telecom circle.

The application processing fee for ISP License Category B is Rs. 15,000. The entry fee for the same is Rs. 2 lakhs.

ISP License C Category

ISP Licence - C Category allows an internet service provider to operate in a single Secondary Switching Area (SSA). The application processing for this license is Rs. 10,000, and the entry fee for it is Rs. 20,000.

For small businesses, local operators or startups with a limited budget, ISP Licence - C Category is suitable.

Documents Required for ISP Registration

The following documents are required for ISP Registration for obtaining Internet Services Provider License - Category A, B and C:

Application Form
Certificate of Company Incorporation
Registered Address
Articles of Association
Memorandum of Association
Details of the directors/promoters/shareholders of the company
Certificate of total equity detail
Foreign equity approval certificate, if applicable
Fee Receipt
Power of Attorney by the resolution of the board of directors

How to Get an ISP License in India?

To get an ISP licence in India, follow these steps:

First, the applicant must select the ISP licence category. Accordingly, the ISP application must be filed.
Now, the applicant must pay processing fee (depending on license category), through Demand Draft or Pay Order from a scheduled bank payable at New Delhi in the name of Pay & Accounts Officer (DoT) along with two copies of the internet license application form.
Apart from this, other official documents must be submitted with DoT as per the prescribed guidelines.
After the ISP application form has been filed along with payment of prescribed fees, DoT will review it and respond back within 60 days. If the application is approved, you will receive an ISP license.

Conclusion

ISP certificate is a legal permit that allows a company to offer internet services to customers. There are 3 categories of ISP certificate, i.e., Category A, Category B and Category C. Category A ISP license allows a business to operate nationwide, whereas Category B ISP license allows a business to operate in a state or metro city.

The third category internet service provider license, i.e., Category C license, allows a business to provide internet services in a secondary switching area. Category A ISP license is the most expensive since it provides the most area coverage. Similarly, Category C license is the cheapest ISP license since it provides the least area coverage.

Want to get an ISP license to offer internet services to your customers? Connect with Registrationwala to obtain this license in a hassle-free manner.

FAQs

Q1. Which ISP registration category allows an ISP business to operate PAN India?

A. The ISP registration category that allows an ISP business to operate PAN India is Category A. For the same reason, we can call the ISP Category A License the Pan India License.

Q2. Which license is required to run a WiFi business in a secondary switching area?

A. You need an ISP Category B License to run a WiFi business in a secondary switching area.

Q3. What is the validity of an ISP certificate?

A. The ISP certificate remains valid for a period of 20 years.

Q4. Who issues the ISP license to businesses in India?

A. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issues the internet service provider license.