Ecuador ARCOTEL 6 GHz Wi-Fi: Comments Due 5 November
Ecuador ARCOTEL 6 GHz Wi-Fi: Draft Opens 5925–7125 MHz for Licence-Exempt Devices and Wireless Charging
Ecuador ARCOTEL 6 GHz Wi-Fi rules are moving forward. On 21 October 2026, Ecuador's telecommunications regulator, the Agencia de Regulación y Control de las Telecomunicaciones (ARCOTEL), opened a public consultation on a draft amendment to its technical standard for licence-exempt spectrum. The proposal would let Wi-Fi devices use the whole 5925–7125 MHz band and would add new bands for wireless power transfer. Comments close on 5 November 2026.
Background: Ecuador's licence-exempt spectrum standard
Low-power devices such as Wi-Fi routers and Bluetooth products operate in Ecuador under the Norma Técnica de Espectro de Uso Libre y de Espectro para Uso Determinado en Bandas Libres, issued by Resolución ARCOTEL-2018-0661 of 1 August 2018. Its RLAN table currently covers 2.4 GHz, the 5 GHz sub-bands and 57–71 GHz, but not 6 GHz. ARCOTEL's technical report says the new spectrum isn't yet characterised in the current standard.
The report, No. IT-CRDE-2026-023 dated 16 October 2026, makes the case for change. It points to congestion in 2.4 and 5 GHz, the arrival of Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, and the fact that all of Ecuador's neighbours have already opened the full band for licence-exempt use. It builds on CITEL Recommendation CCP.II/REC. 70 (XLIV-24) for WAS/RLAN in 5925–7125 MHz and CCP.II/REC. 73 (XLVII-26) for wireless power transfer. Ecuador also has 547 fixed links and C-band satellite uplinks in the band, which explains the protective conditions in the draft.
Key Changes in the Ecuador ARCOTEL 6 GHz Wi-Fi Draft
Two RLAN tiers
The draft adds two rows to Table 1.2 of the standard:
5925–7125 MHz, indoor only. Access points up to 30 dBm EIRP and 5 dBm/MHz; client devices up to 24 dBm EIRP and –1 dBm/MHz.
5925–6425 MHz, indoor and outdoor, for mobile, portable or handheld devices. Up to 14 dBm EIRP and –5 dBm/MHz. Transmit power control is required, and fixed outdoor infrastructure isn't allowed.
Both tiers have an out-of-band limit of –27 dBm/MHz and must use contention-based access to the medium.
Indoor access point conditions
To keep indoor access points indoors, the draft says they can't use external antennas, can't run on batteries (they must be mains or Ethernet/PoE powered) and can't carry an outdoor IP rating. A new definition describes an indoor environment as a space enclosed by walls, floor, roof, doors and usually windows that gives permanent structural attenuation.
Where 6 GHz devices can't operate
Operation is banned on oil platforms, drones, cars, trains and boats. Aircraft use is allowed only on commercial and passenger aircraft flying above 3,000 metres, under the aviation authority's conditions.
Homologation still applies
The draft states that internet-access terminals must keep complying with Ecuador's Reglamento para Homologación y Certificación de Equipos Terminales de Telecomunicaciones, for the equipment classes that need homologation. So opening the band doesn't remove the approval step for Wi-Fi terminals.
Wireless power transfer
Four bands are added for wireless charging of mobile and portable devices and for powering sensor networks: 915–921 MHz, 2410–2483.5 MHz, 5725–5875 MHz and 61–61.5 GHz. Each is limited to 1 W output power and 4 W EIRP. ARCOTEL notes it isn't adopting higher power in 915–921 MHz for industrial applications.
What This Means for Manufacturers
Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 products could use 6 GHz in Ecuador once the resolution is adopted. Until then, 6 GHz operation isn't covered by the standard.
The indoor tier looks like low-power indoor (LPI) rules elsewhere, but the access point restrictions are specific: integrated antennas, no battery, no outdoor rating. Check product designs and marketing claims against them.
The 14 dBm portable tier only covers 5925–6425 MHz, so client devices need firmware that handles the narrower outdoor range.
There's no automated frequency coordination (standard power) tier in the draft.
Products meant for vehicles, boats or drones would need 6 GHz disabled for Ecuador.
Wireless chargers and RF power products in the new WPT bands get a clear power ceiling.
Homologation files for Ecuador should show the 6 GHz limits once the final text is out.
Certification Impact Summary
Area | Before | After | Impact level |
5925–7125 MHz RLAN | Not in the licence-exempt standard | Indoor use; AP 30 dBm, client 24 dBm EIRP | High |
5925–6425 MHz portable use | Not in the licence-exempt standard | Indoor and outdoor at 14 dBm EIRP with TPC | Medium |
Indoor access points | No 6 GHz conditions | Integrated antennas only, no battery, no outdoor IP rating | Medium |
Restricted platforms | No 6 GHz conditions | Banned on vehicles, boats, drones, oil platforms; aircraft only above 3,000 m | Medium |
Wireless power transfer | No specific WPT rows in Table 1.2 | Four bands at 1 W output / 4 W EIRP | Medium |
Homologation | Applies to terminal classes listed in the regulation | Unchanged; restated for internet-access terminals | Low |
Timeline and Required Actions
Key Dates
Date | Milestone |
16 October 2026 | ARCOTEL Technical Report IT-CRDE-2026-023 |
21 October 2026 | Consultation notice published; comment period opens |
5 November 2026 | Written comments close at 17:00 |
9 November 2026 | ARCOTEL publishes comments received |
11 November 2026 | Public hearing at ARCOTEL, Quito (also streamed) |
To be confirmed | Adoption and entry into force of the amended standard |
Required Actions for Manufacturers
List the Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7 and WPT products you plan to sell in Ecuador.
Compare their 6 GHz power and PSD settings with the draft limits for access points and clients.
Check access point designs against the antenna, power supply and IP rating conditions.
Plan country firmware that limits portable outdoor use to 5925–6425 MHz and disables 6 GHz on restricted platforms.
Send comments on the form to consultapublica.crde@arcotel.gob.ec by 5 November 2026 if the conditions affect your products.
Watch for the adopted resolution, then update your homologation documents.
Conclusion
The Ecuador ARCOTEL 6 GHz Wi-Fi draft would bring Ecuador in line with its neighbours on 6 GHz, though with tighter indoor conditions than some markets. The comment window is short, so manufacturers with 6 GHz or wireless charging products should look at the limits this week. Contact our team for help with comments and homologation in Ecuador.
