Ecuador Type Approval Summary
Ecuador is a dynamic telecommunications market undergoing a strategic transition. This South American country has a high level of internet penetration among its population of approximately 18.4 million.
In terms of the adoption of next-generation technologies such as 5G, Ecuador still lags behind the average for Latin America and the OECD. This presents opportunities for manufacturers and importers to support the dynamism of the telecommunications market by marketing their products in the country.
To market telecommunications products in Ecuador, the first thing manufacturers and importers need to know is the applicable compliance requirements. These compliance requirements are known as “ARCOTEL Homologation.”
ARCOTEL stands for Agencia de Regulación y Control de las Telecomunicaciones (Telecommunications Regulation and Control Agency), Ecuador’s telecommunications regulatory authority.
The Authority is responsible for regulating and supervising telecommunications services and the radio spectrum, ensuring service quality, digital security, fair access to telecommunications resources, and compliance with applicable technical regulations.
Manufacturers and importers need to understand ARCOTEL’s requirements and homologation process to ensure smooth access to the Ecuadorian market. In this way, they can participate in the continued growth and development of Ecuador's telecommunications sector.
Who Can Be an Applicant?
- Local representative
- Required
Certification applications may be submitted by local manufacturers, importers, or distributors. Foreign manufacturers must appoint a local representative if they wish to apply for certification.
Application Method
- In-country testing
- No
- Paperwork only
- Yes
All homologation certification applications in Ecuador are processed through document review and evaluation. Local testing is not mandatory as part of the homologation process.
ARCOTEL accepts certification applications if the equipment has been tested in accordance with a recognized standardization scheme. Alternatively, the equipment may already hold a certificate issued by a recognized conformity assessment body.
The following international standards are recognized by ARCOTEL:
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
- European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)
- European Committee for Standardization (EN)
- Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA, ANSI, EIA)
- Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT)
- Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organization (AIDMO)
- Standardization Administration of China (GB)
The following conformity assessment bodies are recognized by ARCOTEL:
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC), United States - FCC Mark
- Radio Equipment Directive (RED), European Union (EU) - CE Mark
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) - ISED/IC Mark
- Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN) - DIN Mark
- British Standards Institution (BSI) - BSI Kitemark
- Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione (UNI) - UNI Mark
- Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR) - NF Mark
- Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) - KC Mark
- Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL), Brazil - ANATEL Label
- National Communications Commission (NCC), Taiwan - NCC Mark
- African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) - AQM
- Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) - CTIA Mark
Applicants must provide test reports demonstrating compliance with one of the recognized international standards or issued through a recognized conformity assessment body. For equipment certified by a recognized conformity assessment body, applicants must also provide the corresponding certificate of compliance and ensure that the product bears the applicable certification mark or label.
Test reports, certificates of compliance (where applicable), and all other required supporting documents must be submitted through the online homologation system provided by ARCOTEL in order to file an application.
Sample Requirements
Generally, product samples are not required for homologation certification in Ecuador. This is because local testing is not a mandatory part of the homologation process.
Please note that the selected testing method, whether based on recognized international standards or a recognized conformity assessment body, must be appropriate for the equipment and its technical specifications. Compliance with these requirements will be verified by ARCOTEL.
If ARCOTEL is not satisfied with the results of the document review, the applicant may be required to submit product samples for technical verification. The number of samples required and any specific conditioning requirements will depend on ARCOTEL's request. Samples must be submitted to ARCOTEL within 30 days of the date on which the request is issued.
Document Requirements
To obtain a type approval certificate, the applicant must submit the following documents to ARCOTEL:
- The application must be addressed to the ARCOTEL Executive Directorate (Application details will be filled out directly on the web portal during the submission process).
- Technical specifications, brand, and model of the equipment.
- Front view, rear view, and label photos showing the device’s brand and model.
- Certificate of conformity from an assessment body (if available)
- Test Report
Submission process
- Submission
- Online
All required documents must be submitted through the online portal at https://sicoeirweb.arcotel.gob.ec/HomologacionLinea/ (prior registration is required). Once the application and supporting documents have been submitted, the applicant must pay the applicable homologation processing fee.
If any required information or documentation is missing, ARCOTEL will notify the applicant and grant a period of 20 days to provide the missing information or complete the documentation. Failure to submit the requested information within the specified period will result in the cancellation of the application.
Lead Time of Certification
- Lead time
- 16 working days
According to ARCOTEL, the estimated processing time for a homologation application is 16 working days from the submission of a complete application. In practice, the overall certification timeline may be longer depending on document preparation, technical review requirements, and application completeness.
Validity Period
- Validity
- Permanent
The homologation certificate is valid indefinitely. If the class, brand, or model of the terminal equipment changes, a new homologation certificate must be obtained. Similarly, if the manufacturer modifies the technical characteristics of equipment that has already been homologated, a new homologation application must be submitted.
Label Requirements for Ecuador Type Approval
- Product label
- Not required
- Approval mark
- Not required
There are no specific labeling requirements for homologation certification in Ecuador. However, if the applicant relies on a recognized conformity assessment body, the device must already bear the appropriate certification mark or label.
Alternative Country Names
Ekuador, اكوادور, Ekvador, Ekwatɔr, Эквадор, 厄瓜多尔, Ekvádor, Republic of Ecuador, Équateur, Ισημερινός, Ekwador, エクアドル, Equador, Еквадор, Ikuwadoor
Rules by Technology
Allowed, approval required
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
- Wi-Fi 5 GHz
- Wi-Fi 6E (6 GHz)
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth Classic
- Bluetooth Low Energy
- NFC
- RFID
- UWB
- Zigbee
- Thread
- Z-Wave
- DECT
- 2G/3G
- 4G LTE
- 5G NR
- NB-IoT
- LTE-M
- LoRa / LoRaWAN
- Sigfox
- Automotive radar (77 GHz)
- Short-range radar (24 / 60 GHz)
- GNSS (GPS)
- Satellite communication
- Wireless charging (Qi)
- PMR / Walkie-talkie
- Amateur radio
- Passive Optical Network (PON)
- Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
- Coaxial Cable
- ISDN
- Ethernet
- VoIP
- IPv6
- Power Line Carrier
- Microwave Link
- Free Space Optics
- Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)
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