Ecuador’s telecommunications regulator, ARCOTEL, recently proposed a fee of USD $450 for the “use and exploitation of the radio spectrum” on all licensees, including radio amateurs. In addition, the agency is planning to assess a USD $22.50 for the “Value of the Rights for Granting and Renewal of Enabling Titles,” coming to a total of USD $472.50. While the fee covers a 10-year license term, it would need to be paid up front, something that is impossible for many of the approximately 700 licensed hams in Ecuador, as the country is currently in the midst of one of its toughest economic crises of recent years. There is also concern that other nearby countries may follow Ecuador’s lead and impose similar fees.
To learn more about this topic, Contributing Editor At-Large Martin Butera, PT2ZDX/LU9EFO, interviewed Lorenzo Emilio Lertora Velarde, HC2BP, President of the Guayaquil Radio Club, which is Ecuador’s member society of the International Amateur Radio Union.–W2VU
Since 1923, one hundred years ago, Ecuadorian radio amateurs have been serving their country, helping to communicate during natural disasters and providing community service, like hams around the world.
There have been many economic crises that the beautiful country of Ecuador has had to endure throughout history, from which it has always been able to recover with great effort and work by all of its people. Currently the
