VNO, ISP, NLD, ILD, OSP & IP-1: India's Telecom License Types Explained

Authorizes a company to offer telecom services by leasing infrastructure from an existing licensed operator, without owning the physical network. The fastest route to market for most new entrants. See our full VNO License guide for the complete application process.

Authorizes a company to build and operate its own network to provide internet access, available in three categories (A/B/C) based on geographic coverage. See our full ISP License guide for category details and documentation requirements.

Authorizes carrying voice and data traffic between different telecom circles within India -- essentially the long-distance backbone connecting regional networks. NLD licensees typically serve other operators (carrying their inter-circle traffic) rather than retail end customers directly.

Authorizes carrying international voice and data traffic into and out of India -- the gateway between India's domestic telecom network and international carriers. Like NLD, ILD operators primarily serve other licensed operators rather than retail customers.

Covers companies that use telecom resources to provide services like call centers, BPOs, IT-enabled services, tele-banking, and tele-medicine -- essentially, businesses that consume telecom connectivity to deliver a different service, rather than providing telecom connectivity itself.

OSP registration was significantly simplified in DoT's November 2019 reform: bank guarantee requirements were removed, domestic and international OSP registrations were merged into a single simplified registration, and much of the reporting burden was reduced. It's now a considerably lighter compliance obligation than it was before 2019 -- though still a mandatory registration, not something that can be skipped.

Covers entities that provide passive infrastructure -- dark fibre, duct space, tower space -- to licensed telecom operators, without providing telecom services themselves. An IP-1 registration holder leases infrastructure; it cannot sell connectivity directly to end customers.

Historically a separate Unified Access Service License (UASL), access service authorization is now issued as part of DoT's broader Unified License (UL) framework, covering wireline and wireless last-mile connectivity. Most VNO and ISP authorizations are technically service authorizations issued under this same Unified License umbrella, rather than fully separate license documents.

• Want to sell internet/broadband under your own brand without building a network? -- VNO License
• Want to build and operate your own network? -- ISP License (Category A, B, or C)
• Want to offer public Wi-Fi hotspots? -- PM-WANI registration (see our PM-WANI guide)
• Running a call center, BPO, or IT-enabled service using telecom resources? -- OSP registration
• Providing dark fibre or tower space to operators, not services to end customers? -- IP-1 registration
• Carrying bulk voice/data traffic between circles or internationally, typically for other operators? -- NLD or ILD license

VNO, ISP, and PM-WANI are where we spend most of our time, and where we can take you from first consultation through to an issued license. If your business needs an OSP, IP-1, NLD, or ILD registration specifically, reach out -- we can point you in the right direction even where it's outside our core focus.