IP-1 License Registration in India
Become an Infrastructure Provider. Own and lease telecom towers, dark fibre, ducts and right of way to operators — with zero authorisation fee. SSA Tax handles your full DoT filing under the latest 2026 rules.
onwards · Govt fee ₹0
What changed
IP-1 in 2026, decoded
India's telecom law is being rebuilt around the Telecommunications Act 2023. Here's what's new for infrastructure providers — and what it means for your business.
From registration to authorisation
Under the draft rules, IP-1 is being subsumed into a unified authorisation framework under Section 3 of the Telecommunications Act 2023, instead of remaining a standalone registration.
New DCIP category
Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider — a first-of-its-kind authorisation that lets neutral players share select active infrastructure (RAN, Wi-Fi, IBS), going beyond IP-1's passive-only scope.
Still zero authorisation fee
Both IP-1 and DCIP authorisations are exempt from authorisation-fee obligations — keeping the barrier to entry low for infrastructure businesses and startups
Six network categories
The new regime defines distinct authorisations — IP-1, DCIP, SESG, IXP, CTN and MNP — so you register for the exact role you play in the telecom ecosystem.
Tighter sharing rules
To keep infrastructure genuinely shareable, the rules discourage exclusive IRU-based asset transfers and push transparent, non-exclusive, service-based sharing models.
RoW reform & clarity
Right of Way is being granted on a non-discriminatory, non-exclusive basis under the new RoW rules — improving predictability for tower and fibre rollouts.
The two halves
One protects your NGO. The other rewards your donors.
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Infrastructure Provider Category-I
The established route for owning and leasing passive telecom infrastructure to operators. Lowest barrier, proven model, zero authorisation fee.
- Towers, dark fibre, duct space, right of way
- Lease to licensed TSPs on agreed terms
- Cannot provide telecom services or active connectivity
- Best for tower companies & fibre infra firms
Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider
The wider, future-ready category for neutral hosts who want to share select active infrastructure — without holding spectrum or running a core network.
- Passive + select active: RAN, Wi-Fi, in-building solutions
- Enables shared, capex-efficient 5G rollouts
- Cannot offer bandwidth, capacity or be a full TSP
- Best for neutral-host & shared-infra businesses
How it's different
IP-1 vs DCIP vs ISP vs Unified License
Telecom has several overlapping authorisations. Each lets you do different things. Here's a clear side-by-side so you apply for exactly what your business needs.
| Authorisation | What it covers | Can provide services? | Authorisation fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IP-1 | Passive infra — towers, dark fibre, ducts, RoW | No (lease only) | Nil | Tower & fibre infrastructure firms |
| DCIP | Passive + select active (RAN, Wi-Fi, IBS) | No (shared infra only) | Nil | Neutral-host / shared-infra players |
| ISP / Internet | Providing internet access to subscribers | Yes (internet) | Applicable | Internet service providers |
| Unified Licence (UL) | Full telecom services — access, NLD, ILD, etc. | Yes (full TSP) | Applicable + bank guarantees | Telecom operators |
| SESG / IXP | Satellite gateways / internet exchange points | Specialised | As prescribed | Satellite & exchange operators |
Step-by-Step
Your IP-1 registration process
From eligibility check to your DoT grant — five managed steps, handled by our telecom licensing team.
Eligibility check
We confirm IP-1 vs DCIP fit and verify your company is application-ready.
Document prep
We draft the board resolution, asset list, business plan and declarations.
File with DoT
We submit your IP-1 application on the DoT / NSWS portal with all annexures
Vetting & queries
We handle DoT's technical & compliance vetting and respond to clarifications.
License granted
Your IP-1 registration/authorisation is granted and delivered to you.
Who can apply for IP-1?
IP-1 is granted on a non-exclusive basis with no limit on the number of providers — but the applicant must be a company.
- ✓Private or Public Limited companies registered in India under the Companies Act
- ✓Telecom tower & fibre infrastructure companies
- ✓Network-leasing and neutral-host businesses
- ✓Startups entering the telecom infra sector
- ✕Not eligible: Partnership firms & LLPs
Documents required
- ①Certificate of Incorporation (Pvt/Public Ltd company)
- ②MoA & AoA reflecting infrastructure objects
- ③Board Resolution authorising the application & signatory
- ④Company PAN & registered office proof
- ⑤Director KYC — PAN, Aadhaar, passport, photo
- ⑥Business plan, asset list & declaration of DoT compliance
Transparent pricing
Expert IP-1 packages
No DoT authorisation fee applies to IP-1 — you pay only for professional drafting, filing and compliance. Every plan includes eligibility review, document preparation and DoT follow-up.
Standard
- IP-1 eligibility & scoping
- Document drafting & review
- DoT application filing
- Expert filing support
Premium
- Everything in Standard
- IP-1 vs DCIP strategy mapping
- Vetting & query handling
- Priority telecom advisory
Enterprise
- Everything in Premium
- Company setup + IP-1 / DCIP
- RoW & ongoing DoT compliance
- Dedicated relationship manager
*No government fee applies to Form 10A / 10AB. Trust-deed amendments, if required, may be quoted separately. Final price confirmed on consultation.
What Makes SSA Tax Different?
Telecom licensing isn't a fill-a-form job — it's a regulatory and technical filing that's mid-reform. We map your business to the right authorisation and get it through DoT cleanly.
Reform-Current
We track the Telecom Act 2023 draft & final rules so you're never filed under an outdated framework.
IP-1 vs DCIP Clarity
We map your exact business model to the right authorisation — the choice that defines what you can build.
Strong DoT Liaison
Direct experience with DoT & NSWS filings, vetting and query resolution — you don't face the department alone.
Technical + Legal Support
We handle both the regulatory paperwork and the technical asset documentation that DoT scrutinises.
Company-to-License Setup
Need a company first? We set up the Pvt/Public Ltd and the IP-1 registration together, end to end.
Lifetime Consultation
RoW, DCIP, compliance filings — ask us anytime after your license, at no extra call charge.
Honest Pricing
We're upfront that IP-1 has no DoT fee, and we share a fixed professional quote — no hidden add-ons.
100% Online & PAN-India
From Jaipur to anywhere in India — fully online process with transparent updates at each stage.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about IP-1 License Registration in 2026.