SACFA Approval — Siting Clearance for Towers & Antennas
SACFA approval is the siting clearance the Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Department of Telecommunications gives before a mast, tower or antenna goes up at a particular location. We prepare the site documents and file the application on the DoT portal for licensed operators.
What it is
SACFA stands for Standing Advisory Committee on Frequency Allocation. Its clearance tells you that a proposed antenna site will not interfere with other radio users or with air traffic, and that the structure is acceptable to the agencies that share the airwaves, including aviation and defence.
It is a site-by-site clearance. It sits beside your telecom authorisation and frequency assignment, not in place of them. Applications go through the DoT online portal (Saral Sanchar, which DoT is moving onto its telecom e-services platform), where technical parameters are filed and the system either clears the site automatically or sends it for scrutiny.
Who it applies to
Telecom and internet operators
Broadcasters and satellite users
Tower companies and their clients
Why it matters
You cannot lawfully switch on without it
It protects the sky and the spectrum
A clean file keeps rollouts moving
Documents required
Site and structure
- Exact latitude and longitude of the site
- Site map showing antenna placement
- Structure and antenna height, above ground and above mean sea level
- Marked location image (satellite view)
Equipment and spectrum
- Frequency band and assignment details
- Make, model and EIRP of the equipment
- Antenna specifications
- Copy of your authorisation or licence
From the applicant
- Self-declaration that the technical data is correct
- Authorisation letter if an agent files on your behalf
- Height clearance paperwork if the site is near an airport, where it applies
How it works
Check eligibility and the site list
We confirm your authorisation and frequency assignment cover the planned sites, and we sort the sites into those that look simple and those near airports or sensitive zones.
Assemble and cross-check the technical data
Coordinates, heights and equipment details come from your RF team or tower vendor. We cross-check them against the site map so the form and the drawings agree.
File on the DoT portal and pay the fee
We upload the documents and the self-declaration, enter the parameters and pay the fee online.
Track the outcome and answer queries
Sites that meet the automatic criteria are cleared by the system. Others go to the designated members, and we reply to any questions they raise.
File the certificates site by site
We file the clearance certificates site by site, so a landlord, lender or inspector gets the right paper quickly.
Timelines
Auto-cleared sites
Sites needing scrutiny
Validity
What happens if you skip it or change the site
Remedial action by WPC
Rejected applications
Stalled rollout
Which installations need what
| Installation | Usual route |
|---|---|
| Mobile tower or rooftop site | SACFA siting clearance on the DoT portal |
| Small cell on street furniture | Simplified clearance; DoT lists ₹100 per small cell |
| Broadcast transmitter, VSAT or earth station | SACFA clearance alongside the licence or permission for that service |
| Indoor Wi-Fi and similar low-power devices | Listed by DoT as exempt categories; no siting clearance |
Here is the catch. Equipment may also need its own approval before use. If you are importing or selling radio devices, read our note on WPC certification, which is a separate process from site clearance.
Frequently asked questions
What is SACFA approval in simple words?
SACFA approval is the DoT clearance that a particular antenna location will not clash with other radio users or aviation. The WPC Wing issues it after checking the site coordinates, height and equipment details you submit online. It is separate from your licence and frequency assignment. Think of it as permission for the place; the licence is permission for the service.
Who can apply for SACFA clearance?
Licensed operators apply: telecom and internet service providers, infrastructure providers, broadcasters and satellite operators. You need an active authorisation from DoT and, where relevant, a frequency assignment. A tower company often supplies the site data, but the licensed party normally files. We can prepare and file on your behalf with an authorisation letter.
How long does SACFA clearance take?
Sites that meet the automatic criteria are cleared by the system once the fee is paid. Other cases are decided within 30 days under DoT’s simplification order. Delays usually come from wrong coordinates or missing height details, so we check them before filing. A clean application is the fastest route.
What is the fee for SACFA clearance?
DoT’s portal lists ₹1,000 per application, ₹100 per small cell and ₹100 per additional antenna. Payment is made online. Fees can be revised, so we confirm the current amount on the portal before filing and tell you the total upfront. Our professional fee is quoted separately and is not part of this figure.
Do I need SACFA clearance for Wi-Fi?
Indoor Wi-Fi access points and similar low-power short-range devices are listed by DoT as exempt from siting clearance. Outdoor links, point-to-point microwave and towers are different and usually need clearance. If you are unsure which side your setup falls on, share the equipment details and we will check it against the DoT list.
Is SACFA clearance valid for life?
DoT describes the clearance as valid for the life of the installation unless a committee member revokes it. If the tower height, location or equipment changes materially, treat it as a new case and apply again. Keeping each site’s certificate on file also makes lender and landlord checks easy.
Does a height NOC from the airport authority come into this?
For sites near airports, the application is circulated to the aviation authority as part of scrutiny, and a height clearance may be required. Sites far from airports often clear automatically. We flag airport-adjacent sites early so your team is not surprised by a longer review. Your site list tells us which ones need extra care.
What happens if the tower is built differently from the approval?
The WPC headquarters can order remedial action if the installed tower deviates materially from the approved parameters. That could mean changing height or antenna placement. The simple safeguard is to build to the filed numbers, and to apply again before changing them. We keep the approved data sheet beside your site file.
Can Taxhint get the clearance for me?
We prepare the documents, cross-check the technical data, file on the portal, pay the fee and reply to queries. Coordinates, heights and equipment data come from your RF engineers or tower vendor, because those need a technical survey. Where a licence or authorisation is missing, we tell you at the start.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
Ready to begin?
Send us your site list and authorisation, and we will tell you which sites should clear automatically and which need a closer look.