In accordance with Article 12 of the Fundamental Communications Act, specifying access of communications for all and universal service, the NCC, on June 1, 2009, announced that 51 designated tribes (neighborhoods) are to be equipped with broadband network services with a total budget of NTD77 million provided by the Telecommunications Universal Services Fund to subsidize deficit on a yearly basis. New Century InfoComm Tech Co., Ltd. provided universal services for data communications access in uneconomic regions in the 7th and 12th Neighborhood of Dahu Village in Fanlu Township, Chiayi County. It was the first broadband network construction project of this year by the company, which can facilitate 2Mbps or higher broadband internet speed to local residents. According to statistics from the Council of Indigenous Peoples, of the Executive Yuan, there are 730 tribal neighborhoods in Taiwan. From the outsourced survey of the council, 24 tribes (neighborhoods), presently, still have no broadband service. It is expected that the policy goal of “Broadband for Every Tribe (Neighborhood)” can be achieved after the completion of the construction next year (2010).
To realize the achievement of broadband network construction, which reduces the digital divide between urban and rural areas and establishes a philanthropic reputation for the enterprise, New Century InfoComm Tech Co., Ltd. held the opening ceremony of Power Line Communication (PLC) Experimental Network and Telecommunications Universal Service for Data Broadband Network at Dahu Elementary School today (August 4). The opening ceremony was co-hosted by Minister of State Jin-Fu Chang, Executive Yuan, Deputy Executive Secretary Char-Dir Chung, Science and Technology Advisory Group, Executive Yuan, NCC Chairperson Dr. Peng, Bonnie, Director General Ming-Ji Wu of Department of Industrial Technology, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Legislator Hwa-Kuan Helen Chang, NCC Commissioners Jin-Nan Hsieh, Ta-Sung Lee and Chorng-Jian Liu, General Director Dr. Bao-Shuh Paul Lin, Information and Communications Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, President Douglas Hsu of Far EasTone Telecommunications Co., Ltd., Vice President Han-Shen Lee of Taiwan Power Company, Magistrate Ming-Wen Chen of Chiayi County, Deputy Speaker Ming-Ta Chang of Chiayi County Council, and Warden Yin-Jhang Luo of Fanlu Township. The activities of the ceremony included an exhibition of broadband construction and seminars on broadband. On behalf of the event, Mr. Ming-Ji Wu, Director General of Department of Industrial Technology, Ministry of Economic Affairs awarded Dahu Elementary School a VOIP telephone system, and Far EasTone Telecommunications Co., Ltd. donated computer equipment and books to Dahu Community and Dahu Elementary School. The representatives of the awards were Ms. Su-E Lin-Lu, Executive in Dahu Community Development Association and Principal Tsai of Dahu Elementary School.
NCC stated that the broadband construction project of New Century InfoComm Tech Co., Ltd was an impressive feat of engineering and established broadband network with fiber-optic communication (fiber-optic and ADSL) in the 7th and 12th Neighborhood of Dahu Village in Fanlu Township, Chiayi County, stretching fiber-optic cables from the company in Chiayi City to the activity center of Dahu Village, and integrated with Industrial Technology Research Institute to execute “Demonstration Project for Building High-Speed Internet with Power Lines and Power Pipes” (Demonstration Project for Power Lines) of National Science and Technology Development Foundation, Executive Yuan (Sci-Tech Foundation).
Since 2001, the power line communication technique has been developing significantly. Internet speed transmitted by this means can reach speeds of 200Mbps year by year. The power lines in Taiwan have extended to remote towns. If the power line communication technique can combine with present fiber-optic or wireless technique, the installation time can be shortened; this will become an alternative solution to the difficulty in the deployment of wired broadband networks for residents in remote areas. Through designating New Century InfoComm Tech Co., Ltd. to install the fiber-optic bandwidth on demand for broadband networks in the village, NCC participated in the test of “Demonstration Project for Power Lines” executed by Industrial Technology Research Institute, which was authorized by National Information and Communication Initiative Committee (NICI). During the project, New Century InfoComm Tech Co., Ltd. provided free broadband Internet with power lines to residents of Dahu Village.
NCC stated that through the mechanism of universal service for communications, the basic telecommunication service and external communication environment for residents of remote areas could be improved. Hopefully, after New Century InfoComm Tech Co., Ltd. provided broadband services for residents in Dahu Village, it will be more convenient for Dahu Elementary School to promote e-learning at school. In addition, the government of Chiayi County can communicate with Dahu Village in Fanlu Township via video conference, and the residents of the village can develop local industries and introduce special features of its culture.
People to Contact: Senior Engineer Ching-Heng Lin (02)2343-3625 0932-009-881
People to Contact: Section Chief Ming-Chung Lee (02)2343-3610 0921-899-998
