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UL-National Long Distance (NLD) Service

The NLD license allows service providers to carry inter-circle switched bearer telecommunication traffic over its national long distance network

UL-National Long Distance (NLD) Service

The NLD license allows service providers to carry inter-circle switched bearer telecommunication traffic over its national long distance network

National Long Distance (ILD) services licensee can carry telecommunication traffic from one Licensed Service area (LSA) to another LSA. The Licensee can also provide Leased Circuit services National Long Distance (NLD) service was opened for private players in August 2000 to promote free competition,. Since 2013, NLD authorizations have been issued under the Unified License framework, introduced as part of the National Telecom Policy 2012 to implement the concept of 'One Nation, One License'. NLD authorization is now issued as an authorization under Unified License instead of a separate license. Prior to this, NLD services were licensed separately under a standalone license system. The information contained herein is a simplified outline intended solely to assist with general understanding. Applicants should refer to the UL guidelines /License & amendments, issued time to time.at URL https://dot.gov.in/unified-licencing and https://dot.gov.in/relatedlinks/national-long-distance and detailed guidelines of Unified License issued vide letter No. 20-577/2016-AS-I (Vol III) dated 17.01.2022 for complete and accurate information
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Details of Service

Here’s a more detailed information related to the National Long Distance (NLD) License in India:

  1. NLD License Requirement
    1. An NLD license is a mandatory regulatory requirement for any telecom operator who wants to carry telecommunication traffic from one Licensed Service area (LSA) to another LSA.
    2. This license is issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications.
  2. Services offered
    1. The NLD Service Licensee shall can carry inter-circle switched bearer telecommunication traffic over its national long distance network. The Licensee may also carry intra-circle switched traffic where such carriage is with mutual agreement with originating access service provider. Some of the key bearer services enabled by NLD licensees include:
      1. Voice Communication
      2. Data and Internet – Internet services, private leased circuits, cloud services.
      3. Fax Services – Transmission of faxes.
      4. Video Services – Video calling, video conferencing, streaming.
      5. Multimedia Applications – OTT platforms, messaging services, digital content delivery.
    2. Leased Circuit Services: The Licensee can provide Leased Circuit Services.
    3. Leasing Bandwidth: The Licensee can provide bandwidth to other telecom service licensees also.
    4. The licensee can also provide connectivity to the service providers which have obtained registration for M2M service.
  3. Network interconnection and Security Conditions
    1. The Licensee may deploy circuit switched or managed Packet Switched network to engineer its NLD networks.
    2. The Licensee shall ensure that the Leased circuits are regularly checked for their bonafide use and to detect any misuse.
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Who Can Apply

  1. General Guidelines for Grant of National Long Distance (NLD) services under Unified License
    1. The applicant must be an Indian company, registered under the “Companies Act- 2013/1956”.
  2. Financial and Eligibility Requirements
    1. Applicants must pay a non-refundable processing fee as prescribed.
    2. FDI upto 100% under automatic route subject to observance of licensing and security conditions by licensee as well as investors as notified by the DoT from time to time.
    3. The applicant company shall have a minimum paid up equity capital and networth as prescribed.
    4. The applicant must pay the Entry fee prescribed.
    5. The applicant must submit the Financial Bang Guarantee (FBG) and Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) as prescribed.
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Documents Required

Copy of registration certified by Company Secretary/Statutory Auditor and countersigned by Director duly authorized by the company.
Articles of Association certified by Company Secretary/Statutory Auditor and countersigned by Director duly authorized by the company.
Memorandum of Association certified by Company Secretary/Statutory Auditor and countersigned by Director duly authorized by the company
Equity Details certificate from the Company Secretary/Statutory Auditor countersigned by the Director duly authorized by the company
Certificate from the Company Secretary/Statutory Auditor, countersigned by the Director duly authorized by the company to disclose the status of foreign holdings.
Networth of the company certificate from the Company Secretary/Statutory Auditor countersigned by the Director duly authorized by the company.
Paid up capital certificate by the Company Secretary/Statutory Auditor, countersigned by ,the Director duly authorized by the company
MHA clearance (in case of foreign nationality/ CEO/CTO/CFO, Director)
Power of Attorney by Resolution of board of Directors
Other Documents, if any
Payment Challan Copy
https://dot.gov.in/unified-licencing
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Fees and Charges

  • The application shall be made online on Saral Sanchar portal ( https://saralsanchar.gov.in/) .
  • The processing fee for the application is Rs. 10,000/- (non-refundable), which is also payable online.
  • The entry fee for the license is Rs. 2.5 crore only and is non-refundable/ non-adjustable.
  • The Financial Bank Guarantee (FBG) for the license is Rs. 1 crore only.
  • The Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) for the license is Rs. 50 Lakhs only.
     
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Application Process

1
Registration The Applicant companies desirous of getting the Authorization under Unified License/UL-VNO Agreement may submit the application online on SARAL (Simplified Application for Registration and Licenses) SANCHAR portal i.e. https://saralsanchar.gov.in. The Applicant companies are required to do a one-time
2
Application Submission. Submit the application form and required documentation in the Saral Sanchar Portal.
3
Processing The application undergoes a compliance and background check.
4
Approval Upon successful review, the license is issued, allowing the applicant to operate within the approved service area
5
6
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Statistics

The List of ILD Licensees are available at https://dot.gov.in/relatedlinks/national-long-distance

Click here to view all
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Policy / Circular / Presentation


Click here to view all
Apply/View Status
Nodal Cell Contact / Help Desk
  • For queries, please contact the Nodal Cell at Email: support@saralsanchar.gov.in. , admin@ett.in
  • Help Desk 011-26288886
     

Validity

20 years

User Manual
A comprehensive user manuals are available for applicants.
UL Applicant Manual_NLD 3.54 MB
Read
New
Telecommunications
Act 2023
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Frequently Asked Questions

The National Long Distance (NLD) license permits a company to provide long-distance carriage services of telecom traffic (voice, data, internet, text, video, etc) from one Licensed Service area (LSA) to another LSA

Any Indian company registered under the Companies Act, 2013/1956 is eligible to apply.

The license is valid for 20 years

Applications must be submitted via the SARAL SANCHAR portal:
https://saralsanchar.gov.in

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