SACFA Clearance

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for SACFA Certificate

The applicants all set to apply for SACFA certificate must comply with the following eligibility criteria, as provided below:

• The applicant must get registered as a legal entity.
• Must possess ownership documents, a registered lease agreement or a formal NOC.
• Must have an active service license or authorization from the DoT.
• Must have a pre-agreed frequency allocation or decision letter issued by WPC.
• Ensure tower or mast height aligns with the standard or structural safety thresholds.
• Must verify permissibility within airport/aerodrome funnel zones.
• Must ensure confirmation that the site does not fall in a notified restricted zone.
• Must issue a letter from the local DISCOM/ state electricity board sanctioning the electrical load.
• The site must be located within 7 km of the nearest airport requiring specialized height clearance.

Who Needs to Apply for SACFA Certificate?

The applicants eligible to apply for SACFA certificate in India are as follows:

• Telecom service providers.
• Internet service providers.
• Infrastructure providers category-I (IP-I).
• Entities with captive wireless licenses.
• Broadcasting companies & community radios.
• Organizations installing wireless antennas or microwave equipment.
• Cellular service providers.
• VSAT & satellite service providers.
• DTH service providers.
• Public safety agencies.
• Amateur radio and HAM operators.
• Community radio service providers.

Step-by-Step SACFA Clearance Process in India

The step-by-step SACFA clearance process mandatory for installing wireless transmitting equipment in India is as follows:

1. Step: Conduct Siting Feasibility
   The first step is to conduct a siting feasibility assessment of the proposed location using professional GPS or Survey of India data to verify the exact site coordinates.


2. Step: Compile Mandatory Documentation
   The next step is to compile all mandatory documentation, along with an undertaking letter on your company letterhead declaring that the site complies with safety norms.


3. Step: Submit Online SACFA Application
   In the next step, it is crucial to submit an online SACFA application on the official Saral Sanchar Portal, along with a standard one-time processing fee through the integrated Bharat Kosh Portal.


4. Step: WPC Scrutiny & Conformity Checks
   The next step requires the WPC wing to conduct an initial screening to ensure that it meets the regulatory criteria and authorizes the requested frequencies.


5. Step: Multi-Agency Circulation
   In the next step, it is required to automatically route online to the relevant agencies, such as the Airport Authority of India and the Ministry of Defence, for their No Objection Certificate.


6. Step: Site Inspection & SACFA Evaluation
   The next step is to conduct an on-site inspection and SACFA evaluation of technical data for potential aviation hazards, signal interference, and structural compatibility.


7. Step: Query Resolution
   The next step requires the reviewing agencies to resolve queries & submit clarification through the Saral Sanchar Portal (if any).


8. Step: Issuance of SACFA Clearance Certificate
   Upon successful resolution of all technical parameters, the SACFA clearance certificate and a verified NOC are issued directly from the Saral Sanchar Portal.

Classification of SACFA Applications in India

The SACFA applications are classified into 4 major categories, varying based on the nature of the installation & the type of service being deployed, as follows:

• Mast Height Category: Mast Height Category is a classification of SACFA applications required to obtain clearance to set up new masts or towers, primarily based on their height and location.
• Full Siting Category: Full Siting Category is a classification of SACFA applications required for detailed inter-agency coordination, including defence, aviation, and other regulatory authorities.
• Exemption Category: Exemption category is a classification of SACFA applications for wireless installation that do not require full SACFA clearance, due to their low risk, low power, or indoor deployment characteristics.
• Additional Antenna Category: The additional antenna category is a classification used when a telecom operator or infrastructure provider intends to install new antennas on a site or tower that has already received SACFA clearance.