Introduction of The National Communications Commission

Since its establishment on February 22, 2006, the National Communications Commission (NCC) has been the authority responsible for regulating telecommunications and broadcasting services. Originally, this authority belonged to both the Directorate General of Telecommunications and the Department of Broadcasting Affairs of the Government Information office; the merged mandate of the NCC is a milestone which is indicative of the advent of digital convergence.

Under the present trend, convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting and information networks has become inevitable. As a result, a regulatory agency has to govern the communications sector with a broader and more accurate strategic insight, as well as an open and more efficient administration. It also has to coordinate the efforts of the executive and legislative branches, as well as the private sector to respond to the rapid development, expectations of the public, and the transformation of society.

The four policy goals of the NCC are (1) promote the sound development of communications, (2) safeguard the rights of the people, (3) protect the interests of consumers, and (4) raise multicultural diversity. These four policy goals constitute the administrative principles of NCC.

The four administrative beliefs of the NCC are (1) independence, (2) responsibility, (3) balance, (4) maximum benefits for the public. The NCC carries out the four policy goals in accordance with its administrative beliefs. Together, they make up the administrative framework of NCC.

The NCC is the first legitimate regulatory agency in Taiwan independent from an executive branch. The NCC analyzes the development of digital convergence to formulate a direction for communications regulatory reform in accordance with the basic supervisory principles of the Fundamental Communications Act as well as national policies and objectives. NCC aims to regulate the communications sector from an objective, neutral, and professional standpoint, to ensure effective competition in the market, safeguard public interest, promote the development of communications services, and thereby enhance the nation’s competitiveness.