The National Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (NTRC) is issuing a call for Amateur Radio Operators to participate in the consultation on the draft Amateur Radio Guidelines and Standards in Dominica.
Amateur radio operation is a personal and rewarding hobby to its many enthusiasts, but it is also a crucial source of communication in times of disaster. However, there is limited guidance for those who seek to utilise this medium for communicating. As a result, the NTRC is issuing draft guidelines standards for the operation of Amateur Radio Services in Dominica.
This medium of telecommunications is governed by the Telecommunications Act, (No. 8 of 2000) and its associated regulations, in the Commonwealth of Dominica and the NTRC is responsible for ensuring adherence to the legislation by service providers and other telecommunications users, including amateur radio operators. NTRC’s mandate also bears responsibility to manage and oversee the radio spectrum allocated to the amateur radio service in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
The consultation, which will run from June 10 – July 12, 2021, will allow for active participation and assistance from the local amateur radio enthusiast and fraternities to collaborate. The consultation will take the form of online and face to face meetings with the various stakeholders to discuss issues pertaining to the guidelines. Further details for these meetings will be publicised on NTRC’s website, Facebook page and other means of social media.
Following the Initial Comments period, the NTRC will review the comments and subsequently submit the Revised Draft Amateur Radio Guidelines and Standards document for the comments on the initial comments received. Â
This will be followed by the Comments-on-Comments period; subsequently, the NTRC will review these comments and finalize the policy document, taking all views into consideration, to adopt and publish the AMATEUR RADIO GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS document.