How to obtain Maritime approval in India

Maritime approval is the license to provide internet services on sea and on air. Department of Telecommunication issues it to those ISPs that fit  the eligibility criteria and can meet all the necessary requirements.

Through this blog, you’ll open your eyes to what those requirements are. Doing so will make you get the answer to primary question that this blog has asked – how to obtain maritime approval in India.

What is Maritime Approval?

As per the Flight and Maritime Connectivity Rules, 2018,  an IFMC service provider is an entity that facilitates voice or data or both types of telegraph services on ships within Indian territorial waters or aircraft over or within the Indian territorial waters. To operate as an IFMC, the entity has to apply for a certificate of registration known as the maritime approval in India.

What are the eligibility criteria to obtain Maritime Approval in India?

To get Maritime Approval, and thus become an IFMC service provider, an IFMC has to adhere to the following eligibility criteria:

1. The applicant must be the holder of ISP category A license; and
2. The applicant must hold an NLD license or a commercial VSAT CUG service license.
3. In case a satellite has to be used for connectivity, the applicant must have established a satellite gateway earth station within the service area of the license.

Other than the above primary eligibility criteria, the DOT has given permission to the following types of companies to provide IFMC service by entering into agreements. Read Other Related Content: Setup E-Waste Plant

1. An Indian airline company or a foreign airline company that has the permission of the Directorate Generate of Civil aviation to enter the Indian airspace.
2. An Indian shipping company or a foreign shipping company whose ships or vessels call Indian ports or traverse the Indian territorial waters and intend to carry out communication for Non-GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) [routine] or for commercial purpose.
3. Any other company incorporated as per the Companies Act, 2013 or any law that came before.

How to obtain the approval to become an IFMC service provider?

Applicant has to submit the Application to receive authorization to provide IFMC service to the Department of telecommunication with the requisite documents. The application will then be assesses and if no discrepancies are found in it or its attached documents, the applicant will be issued the authorization or the Maritime Approval.

What are the documents required to obtain Maritime Approval?

Following are the documents one needs to obtain Maritime Approval in India.

1. Certificate of incorporation
2. Memorandum of Association
3. Articles of Association
4. Demand Draft of the application processing fee
5. Copy of the ISP category A License.
6. Copy of the NLD License
7. Certified copy of commercial agreement with the Indian telecom license
8. Complete breakup of the company’s equity
9. Certificate of Company Secretary/Statutory Auditor countersigned by the Director

What restrictions has the DOT imposed on an IFMC provider?

Following are the  DOT restrictions as per the provisions of Flight and Maritime Connectivity Rules, 2018:

1. The IFMC service provider must render mobile communication services in aircraft at the minimum height of 3000 meters. It’s to avoid interference with the mobile networks on land.
2. The WI-FI must only be only available on the aircraft to the electronic devices in the Airplane mode.

Conclusion

Maritime approval allows you to provide internet services beyond your terrestrial domain. To know more about this license and it’s perks, reach out to our Telecom consultants. We can aid you in this matter and provide you with complete details concerned with this license.

Maritime Approval in India is the authorization to provide voice and data services on ships and flights. Read this blog to know how to obtain Maritime Approval in India.