Three groups monopolize the frequencies of radio and TV, according to the Comptroller

Ecuadornews:

The draft of the special examination of the allocation contest indicates that there was a plot to capture the greatest amount of media. Satellite Television was also benefited.

The Comptroller General of the State established that three groups were benefited by concentrating the most media in the last contest of 1,472 frequencies for television and radio, organized by the Telecommunications Regulation and Control Agency (Arcotel).

This is indicated by the first draft of the special examination for the awarding of frequencies, which took place from January 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017. Fernando Larrea, Director of Audit in Telecommunications of the Comptroller’s Office, led the reading of the draft, whose appointment was attended by delegates from the media, as well as the Council for Regulation and Development of Information and Communication (Cordicom) and the Arcotel.

After indicating the alleged irregularities in the previous administration, the Cordicom and the Arcotel will have five days to present exculpatory evidence. Then the Comptroller’s Office will issue a final report. It was determined, in the report, that through a corporate network three business groups concentrated the frequencies.

Although the names were not known, the identity numbers of the accused were delivered. According to César Ricaurte, director of Fundamedios, the first corresponded to the assemblyman and owner of the radio station Canela, Jorge Yunda.

There, the control body identified that the group is made up of 12 companies that applied for 46 frequencies. Of this number, 37 were qualified. The second group is led by the Mexican businessman Ángel González.

The Comptroller’s Office detected 18 companies. The group applied for 19 frequencies and reached that same number. The third, based in Manabí, is presumably chaired by Lenín Andrade, and is made up of 5 companies. He applied for 13 frequencies, of which 5 were qualified.

Regarding satellite television, satellite TV, linked to Ricardo Rivera, uncle of former Vice President Jorge Glas, the Comptroller determined that in the first instance was disqualified for the allocation contest, but after bureaucratic procedures was reclassified illegally, by the Arcotel.

Érika Torres, adviser to Cordicom, added that during the next 5 days they will answer on the scopes that determined the exam. The Arcotel was responsible for being the guarantor of the competition rules to access frequencies at the private, public and community levels. She said that the Comptroller must determine the “true responsible” for the alleged anomalies.

The event was attended by Tamara Merizalde and Ana Proaño, who were both Cordicom and Arcotel deputies, but did not issue a pronouncement.

Ricaurte added that the Comptroller must cancel the contest and determine criminal responsibilities of this concentration. (I)

Source: https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/politica/3/concurso-frecuencias-irregularidades-contraloria