What is IP1 License in India?

IP-1 license is an authorization issued by the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) to businesses who want to work as telecom Infrastructure Provider of Category-I. Reach out to Registrationwala and start the process of IP-1 registration today. Here, IP refers to the Infrastructure Provider, a specific service provider whose infrastructure consists of passive resources required by the telecom industry stakeholders. In DOT or the Department of Telecommunication, there is an innate need to make sure that these resources have the right quality, can push the industry forward, and is helpful to the industry. Thus, as this nuanced service provider, you can define the entire generation of IT growth.

The infrastructure providers facilitate the telecom infrastructure as a service by providing passive telecom resources to the telecom service providers. The resources are as follows:

• Towers: Towers facilitate wireless communication
• Right of Way: It allows the ISP and Telco service providers certain bandwidth and other resources.
• Antennas: Enabling reception and broadcasting.
• Base Stations: On a carrier network, it's the fixed communication point for customer cellular phones.
• Duct Space: generally, duct spaces are just open spaces implemented in a building to make room for wiring. However, in the case of an Infrastructure Provider, a duct space plays a major role in installing fiber networks.
• Internet Access: Internet access is another infrastructure a service provider requires to run a business in this modern age. It's the primary resource you can give your clients as a digital infrastructure provider.
• Cloud Computing: Due to the infrastructure providers, companies can access in-built cloud-based technologies. It's a beneficial resource in the modern BPO infrastructure.

These are just some of the resources an infrastructure provider facilitates for the telecom industry. However, none of that would have been possible without the IP 1 license.

Relevance of IP-1 License as an Infrastructure Provider

While the above resources are passive-type, there was a time when active resources also required the IP-1 License. Among the types of IP Licenses, people often look for the active one. However,  the DO has now removed the required authorization – IP2 License. The decision was possibly taken for ease of business. IP-1 License registration is the authorization to become an Infrastructure provider that provides level 1 telecommunication resources to Industries. The Department of Telecommunication is the primary authority that issues this License.

With an IP-1 license, a company can provide telecom service providers with technological infrastructure. With this License, an IP company can provide technical aid like Dark Fibre, Right of Way, Tower, and Duct Space.

Eligibility Criteria for IP1 License in India

• The eligibility criteria for an IP-1 registration applicant to obtain the requisite License are as follows:
• The applicant must be a registered company under the Companies Act of 2013
• The applicant must possess the necessary technical as well as financial resources to provide the requisite IP services
• The applicant must be confident in his establishment and maintenance plan for providing Telecom Infrastructure
• The applicant must not have engaged in any criminal or fraudulent activities in their past
• The applicant should comply with the relevant regulations governing India's Telecom sector
• The applicant must have a competent track record in the DoT industry

The applicant must note that those mentioned above are sensitive to industrial changes, so he must regularly check with the DoT for the latest IP-1 licensing requirements.

Documents Required for IP1 License in India

One thing we missed in our discussion about getting an IP 1 License is the document required. The documents that you're required to submit the hard copies of at the Department of telecommunication to get the IP Licence are as follows:

• Company's PAN card
• Certification of incorporation of the company
• Memorandum of association and article of association of the company
• List of all the directors and shareholders of the company
• KYC of the directors
• Demand draft of INR 5000/-

Process of obtaining IP-1 License in India

The straightforward steps of the IP1 registration procedure have been designed to make it easier to get IP-1 License. India, to make the process easier while also maintaining the integrity of the registration process, has given us the following roadmap:

Step 1: Gain eligibility to acquire the IP-1 License

You can neither acquire the IP1 License as a proprietorship nor as a partnership firm. You have to be a registered business entity under the Companies Act 2013. Thus, your first step is establishing a business entity by registering your company.

Step 2: Furnish the documents required

Regardless of our digital times, there is no online way to file the application. Thus, you have to get the hard copies of the documents required.

Step 3: Submit the application

Hire experts to file the application via the IP1 license application form on your behalf at the nearest branch of the Department of Telecommunication. Don't forget to attach the receipt of the IP-1 registration fee alongside that application.

Step 4: Let the Application go through the processing

It doesn't take long for the Department to pick up your application, but it does take a long for them to process it. Wait for the application's processing.

Step 5: Get the DOT IP1 License

If the information you've filled in the application form and the documents you've submitted are in order, you'll obtain the IP1 License.

Post-Incorporation Compliances for IP-1 Licensee

• The DoT puts no restriction on the applicant company's Foreign Equity level.
• The applicant must submit the application for registration in the prescribed format.
• The applicant company must arrange for Right of Way (ROW).
• Change in the name of the applicant company or the licensed IP-I must be permitted in terms of the Companies Act, 1956.
• The applicant company must be informed of the approval or rejection of the application within 15 days of submission.
• The registration for the IP-I License must be on a non-exclusive basis without any restriction on the number of entrants.
• The IP-I registered company must provide dark fibers, Right of Way, duct space, and towers on a lease, rent out, or sales basis to the licensees on mutually agreed terms and conditions.
• The IP-I registered company must submit a copy of an agreement with the other service providers or IP-II within 15 days of signing such agreement.
• The IP-I licensed company must provide for the use of infrastructure in a non-discriminatory manner.
• The applicant company must pay an IP1 license processing fee of Rs. 5,000/- in the form of a Demand Draft or Pay Order payable at New Delhi in the name of the Pay & Accounts Officer (Headquarters) DoT.
• The application must be submitted to the Section Officer, CS-III, Department of Telecommunications, Room No. 713, Sanchar Bhavan, 20-Ashok Road, New Delhi-110 001.

Our Assistance in filing the IP1 License in India

As you can see, it's easy to understand when it comes to the sheer process of an IP 1 License. However, it won't be enough if you want to start one of these infrastructures as a service company. Like any other government registration, the process is more complicated than you can see. Whether filing the IP1 License application or conducting a follow-up, the complexities make it necessary to get Assistance. That's where our team comes forward to lend you a hand. As one of India's primary IP Licensing Companies, it's our job to provide you with the best possible help.

So, how do we help you? We take on the three crucial steps to get you certified as an infrastructure provider by the Department of Telecommunication:

1. We are going to file and submit the IP 1 License application in the right way
2. Provide you further Assistance throughout the licensing process
3. Get you certified

Infrastructure as a service market, as huge as it's now, could not have achieved this much success without the aid of experts like us. There are several ups and downs to acquiring IP1 Licence. We ensure you don't have to go through any of them. Just bring forth your requirements, and let us handle how to use a strategic approach to get you the IP1 License.

So, set up your infrastructure service provider unit by becoming one of India's few IP-1 license holders in India. Let us make it possible for you. Get the process started.

FAQs About IP1 License 

Q1. What is an IP1 License?

A. IP1 License is the authorization the Department of Telecommunication gives to make an Infrastructure provider.

Q2. What is an Infrastructure Provider?

A. IP refers to the Infrastructure Provider, a specific service provider whose infrastructure consists of passive resources required by the telecom industry stakeholders.

Q3. Why does the DoT issue IP1 licenses?

A. In the Department of Telecommunication, there is an innate need to ensure that the telecom infrastructural resources have the right quality, can push the industry forward and is helpful to the industry. Thus, as a nuanced service provider, the IP-1 license applicant must be able to define the entire generation of IT growth.

Q4. What kind of resources does an Infrastructure Provider dispenses?

A. The infrastructure providers facilitate the telecom infrastructure as a service by providing passive telecom resources to the telecom service providers. The resources are as follows:

• Towers
• Right of Way: It allots certain bandwidth and other resources to the ISP and Telco service providers.
• Antennas
• Base Stations
• Duct Space: In the case of an Infrastructure Provider, a duct space plays a major role in installing fibre networks.
• Internet access
• Cloud computing

Q5. Is the IP1 license mandatory?

A. These are just some of the resources that an infrastructure provider facilitates for the telecom industry. None of this can be possible without the IP1 license.

Q6. What are the types of Infrastructure Provider licenses?

A. There are two types of Infrastructure Provider licenses in India:

• Infrastructure License Category 1 or IP1 license: for passive-type telecom resources.
• Infrastructure License Category 2 or IP2 license:  for active-type telecom resources.

Q7. What is an IP-1 License registration?

A. IP-1 registration certificate is the authorization to become an Infrastructure provider that provides level 1 telecommunication resources to Industries. The Department of Telecommunication is the primary authority that issues this license.

Q8. What are the benefits of having an IP1 license?

A. With an IP-1 license, a company can provide telecom service providers with technological infrastructure. With this license, an IP company can provide technical aid like Dark Fibre, Right of Way, Tower, and Duct Space.

Q9. Is there any restriction on Foreign Equity Level for the IP1 license?

A. No, there is no restriction on the applicant company's foreign equity level.