Telecom licensing under UL and UL (VNO) Consultation
India’s telecom industry is constantly evolving, driven by technological innovations, digital expansion, and regulatory reforms. To support this growth and maintain uniformity, the Government of India has reshaped the telecom regulatory framework, encouraging transparency, better service delivery, and wider access.
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For businesses planning to offer telecom services—whether infrastructure-based or virtual—obtaining the right license is a legal necessity. The Unified License (UL) and Unified License – Virtual Network Operator (UL-VNO) are the two primary licensing frameworks that enable companies to provide a range of telecom services across the country in a compliant and structured way.
What Are UL and UL (VNO)?
Unified License (UL):
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The UL framework was introduced to consolidate multiple service-specific licenses into a single license. Under UL, a company can apply for various authorisations such as Access Service, Internet Service, National Long Distance (NLD), International Long Distance (ILD), and more, based on the services they wish to offer. It is suitable for infrastructure-owning entities or those delivering telecom services directly to customers.
Unified License – VNO (UL-VNO):
UL (VNO) allows businesses to operate as Virtual Network Operators—offering telecom services without owning the physical network infrastructure. VNOs partner with existing license holders (TSPs) to offer voice, data, and internet services under their own brand, making this license ideal for startups, regional operators, and niche service providers looking to enter the market with lower capital investment.
What Happens If You’re Not Compliant?
Operating telecom services without a valid UL or UL (VNO) license—or failing to meet post-licensing compliance—can result in serious consequences, such as:
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Hefty penalties or cancellation of services by the DoT
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Reputational damage due to non-compliance
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Legal challenges and inability to expand operations
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Disruption of business continuity and strained relationships with network partners
How We Help You Stay Compliant?
License Selection Advisory
We help you identify the most suitable license based on your business model, services offered, and market goals. Our team simplifies regulatory jargon and helps you make informed licensing decisions that support compliance and scalability.
Registration Support
From documentation to application submission, we manage the end-to-end license registration process. Our team prepares all necessary legal, financial, and technical documents, submits the application to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), and coordinates with authorities to address any queries or clarifications.
Post-Licensing Compliance
Once your license is granted, staying compliant with ongoing regulatory requirements is critical. We assist with quarterly AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue) filings, annual submissions, and timely preparation of reports in the prescribed DoT format.
Why Partner with Us?
Specialised
Expertise
We understand the UL and UL (VNO) framework inside out, helping you avoid mistakes and speed up approvals.
Complete
Support
From license selection to post-compliance, we handle everything, so you can focus on your core business.
Smooth
Coordination
We liaise directly with DoT and TSPs to simplify the process and resolve queries quickly.
Growth-Ready
Approach
Our guidance ensures you're not just compliant, but also ready to grow in India’s evolving telecom space.