DoT issues detailed guidelines for Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) license

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) today issued detailed guidelines for the Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) license in line with the Government’s decision to enable the setting up of CNPN in India. TRAI had earlier in April recommended four options for setting up Captive Wireless Private Network in India.

TSPs with access service licenses can provide private networks as a service to an enterprise by using network resources over its PMLN network. They can establish isolated CNPN for the enterprises using IMT spectrum acquired by them.

Enterprises setting up private captive networks can obtain spectrum on lease from TSPs and establish their own isolated network. Alternatively, enterprises setting up private captive networks can obtain spectrum directly from DoT and establish their own isolated network.

The Government will issue licenses to enable enterprises to establish CNPN. Those enterprises seeking direct assignment of the spectrum from the Government need a net worth of Rs 100 crore. The enterprise seeking a CNPN license must be an occupant of the geographical area where the CNPN will be established.

The CNPN licensee may establish indoor CNPNs for own use within the area of operations of license. The license can’t be used for providing commercial telecommunication services.

The CNPN license will be valid within locations in the country where the CNPN licensee is an occupant of the geographical area where the CNPN will be established.

A CNPN licensee having operations at more than one location will require only one CNPN license but will have to update the geo-coordinates of new established CNPN at another location as and when established on the Saral Sanchar portal before applying for spectrum.

The CNPN license will be valid for 10 years and eligible for renewal as per extant policy. Each CNPN licensee will get a unique license number which shall be used will applying for the spectrum. The network elements shall be deployed as per TEC standards.

CNPN networks cannot be connected to public networks in any manner. The public networks include but are not limited to PSTN, PMLN, GMPCS, and the internet. The network elements of CNPN including the core network must be established within the area of operation of the license.

CNPN licensees can connect CNPNs established at multiple locations through leased lines obtained from licensed TSPs. They also have to follow the extant guidelines on FDI policy issued by the Government from time to time.

The CNPN licensee doesn’t need to pay any entry fee or licensee fee. They just have to pay a one-time non-refundable processing fee of Rs 50,000. The CNPN licensee has to follow relevant network security conditions and instructions regarding the procurement of telecom equipment from trusted sources.

CNPN licensee can obtain IMT spectrum on lease from one or more TSPs having access service license on mutually agreed terms and conditions. The spectrum shall be obtained for each individual location separately.

DoT will undertake demand studies and then seek TRAI recommendations for direct assignment of spectrum to such enterprises. Enterprises setting up CNPNs can seek spectrum directly from DoT to establish their own isolated network.

The CNPN licensee further needs to obtain SAFCA clearances and wireless equipment import permission before the commencement of operations. It has to ensure there is no interference to other authorised users of the radio spectrum. The radio signals must be restricted indoors. It has to further comply with extant guidelines on EMF exposure norms.