A US Congressional Staff Delegation, Mr. Sonny Sinha and his colleagues, accompanied by Deputy Director of Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S., Dr. Jason Chao, visited Taiwan from June 27 to July 3, 2009. During their stay, they paid a visit to NCC Chairperson, Dr. Bonnie Peng on July 2 (Thursday). Both parties exchanged views on media management and development in Taiwan, as well as discussing the role and responsibilities of NCC.
Chairperson Peng explained that since its establishment three years ago NCC has been responsible for overseeing broadcasting, telecommunications, and licensing. In addition, NCC has set administration targets to promote digital convergence and fair competition, develop effective regulatory and management systems for communications, and maintain the rights and benefits of citizens and consumers.
Chairperson Peng also highlighted Taiwan’s success in universal broadband service as Taiwan has been at the forefront of full deployment of the broadband network. Chairperson Peng explained that, similar to other advanced countries, a universal service fund is established to subsidize deployment in remote and uneconomical areas. Operators have to contribute a ratio of their income to that fund to support deploying broadband networks. After analyzing the specific requirements of rural areas, NCC designates providers to deploy broadband networks in specific villages. Besides, Government provides training courses, used computers and equipment to the villages as well. A total of 46 villages have benefited from the universal service project so far.
In response to questions raised by the guests, Chairperson Peng mentioned that NCC has also strived to strengthen efficiency of administration and supervision in order to tackle many challenges ahead, such as the NIMBY syndrome on mobile base stations and illegal radio stations, and to promote the digitalization of the CATV and the public participation in media content regulation, as well as self-regulatory monitoring mechanisms. She then used the Anti-Spam draft as an example to explain how NCC works with the Legislative Yuan to draft and pass laws.
