Long Distance Service Authorisation for a Network Service Operator (NSO) enables the provision of National Long Distance (NLD) and International Long Distance (ILD) telecommunication services across the National Service Area. It allows an NSO to establish, operate, maintain, and expand long-distance telecommunication networks for carrying voice, data, video, and other communication traffic. Under this authorisation, an NSO may provide domestic and international connectivity services, leased circuits, bandwidth services, and other long-distance communication services through wireline, wireless terrestrial, satellite, and submarine cable networks. telecom infrastructure.

The scope of Long Distance Service Authorisation for a Network Service Operator (NSO) comprises the following:

A. National Long Distance (NLD) Service

1. Carriage of bearer telecommunication traffic within India.
2. Carriage of intra-circle and inter-circle long-distance calls.
3. Domestic Leased Circuit.
4. Domestic Calling Card.

B. International Long Distance (ILD) Service

1. Carriage of bearer telecommunication traffic outside India.
2. Carriage of international long-distance calls to or from foreign carriers.
3. International Private Leased Circuit (IPLC).
4. International Calling Card.

In addition, an NSO may:

1. Provide domestic bandwidth on lease to authorised entities or licensees permitted to have such connectivity under their respective authorisation.
2. Provide international bandwidth on lease to authorised entities or licensees permitted to have such connectivity under their respective authorisation.
3. Establish, operate, maintain, or expand Cable Landing Stations (CLS) or Cable Landing Station – Point of Presence (CLS-PoP), subject to security clearance and prior written approval of the Central Government.
4. Establish, operate, maintain, or expand International Long Distance (ILD) Gateways or International Internet Gateways (IIG), subject to security clearance and prior written approval of the Central Government.

Services may be provided through wireline networks, wireless terrestrial networks, satellite networks, or submarine networks.

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1. An applicant seeking Long Distance Service Authorisation (NSO) shall:
2. Be a company incorporated under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
3. Meet the minimum paid-up equity capital and minimum net worth requirements specified under Schedule C, wherever applicable.
4. Comply with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy and applicable laws of India.
5. Ensure that no prohibited investor has direct or indirect investment or control in the applicant entity.
6. Comply with beneficial ownership and cross-holding provisions under the Rules.
7. Clear all dues, liabilities, penalties, or obligations relating to any previous telecom licence or authorisation, if applicable.

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Processing fee, entry fee and initial guarantee for authorisations for telecommunication services -

SI.No.	Category	Service Authorisation	Processing Fee (Rs.)	Entry Fee (Rs.)	Initial Guarantee (Rs.)
1	NSO	Unified Service Authorization	1 lakh	12 crores	44 crores ​
2	NSO	Access Service Authorization	10,000	50 lakh (25 lakh for North East and Jammu and Kashmir)	2 crores
3	NSO	Internet Services Authorization  (National)	10,000	10 lakh	4 lakh ​
4	NSO	Internet Services Authorization  (Circle/Metro)	10,000	50,000 (25,000 for North East and Jammu and Kashmir)	20,000
5	NSO	Long Distance Services Authorization	10,000	1 crore	1 crore ​

Minimum equity, minimum net worth for authorisations for telecommunication services -

SI.No.	Category	Service Authorisation	Minimum Equity Capital	Minimum Networth
1	Principle Telecommunication Services Authorisation (NSO)	Unified Service Authorisation	25 Cr	25 Cr
3		Access Service Authorisation	2.5 Cr	2.5 Cr
4		Internet Service Authorisation (National Area) 10 lakh Nil	10 Lakh	Nil
5		Internet Service Authorisation (Telecom circle/ Metro Area)	1 Lakh	Nil
6		Long Distance Service Authorisation	2.5 Cr	2.5 Cr

Authorisation Fee

• Annual authorisation fee shall be 8% of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR).
• The fee shall include contribution attributable to Digital Bharat Nidhi.
• Spectrum related charges shall apply separately wherever applicable. 

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