As part of its 8th anniversary celebrations, the NCC hosted the International Communications Forum at GIS MOTC Convention Center on Feb. 21, 2014. Director-General Göran Marby of the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS), and Deputy Chair Richard Bean of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) attended as honored guests and shared their professional expertise and experiences on the development of digital convergence.

　During his opening remarks at the forum, NCC Chairperson, Howard S. H. Shyr expressed the need to deepen understanding of the regulatory frameworks of both PTS and ACMA, as well as the hope that the forum would act as a springboard to even closer ties and friendships between them. Chairperson Shyr outlined developments and the vision of digital convergence, emphasizing the importance of technological development, innovation of services, technology neutrality, promotion of interconnection, and universal services. The Chairperson also highlighted the belief that through interchange with international peers, the NCC will be able to more effectively make appropriate adjustments to the regulatory framework and facilitate the progress of digital convergence in Taiwan.

　Director-General Göran Marby of PTS delivered a keynote speech entitled “Regulatory Challenges for Tomorrow in the Light of Speed,” and began by stating that the role of the modern regulator is to provide consumers with greater choice. During his talk, Director-General Marby gave an overview of the EU perspective of media convergence and outlined some of the issues and challenges the telecom industry faces. Furthermore, Director-General Marby mentioned that, from a global perspective, IP-based convergence services have begun to significantly alter the telecom market, technical developments, and telecom business models. To conclude his talk, Director-General Marby stated that all of us are in the midst of radical changes in consumer demands, technologies, and business models, and thus creative thinking is necessary when forming future regulation.

　Deputy Chair Richard Bean’s talk entitled “Practical Convergence: Lessons Learned and Conversation to Come,” first acknowledged the valuable relationship between NCC and ACMA, which was formed six months before NCC, and then outlined the structure and vision of ACMA. Mr. Bean also shared recent industry developments and regulatory practices in Australia, and concluded by expressing the desire for future exchange and cooperation with the NCC.

　Vice Chairperson of the NCC, Hsiao-Cheng Yu, delivered an address entitled “Convergence in Taiwan: Now and Future,” and highlighted the market status of communications in Taiwan, the recent 4G auction and its subsequent deployment, as well as the current progress of regulatory amendments in order to facilitate convergence.

　At the end of the forum, Vice Chairperson Yu, along with the two honored keynote speakers, Director-General Göran Marby and Deputy Chair Richard Bean held an open discussion and answered questions posed from the audience, which was made up of representatives from industry, government, and academics. The forum was successfully and warmly concluded after the fruitful exchanges that touched upon future trends and regulatory policies on price regulation, spectrum management, optical fiber engineering, and emerging services (such as Web TV, OTT, 5G, etc).