The National Communications and Communications Committee (NCC) announced on February 9, that it was accepting applications for the operation of the radio broadcasting enterprises. During the application period, which closed on May 9, a total of 165 applications were submitted by twenty applicants, 145 of which were for community radio broadcasting enterprises, which demonstrates that there is still significant demand for local radio services.
According to NCC, this release plan adjusted the number of releases according to the current status and development forecast of the industry while retaining some spectrum for future upgrades of the industry. In all, five licenses for regional (medium power ) frequency modulation (FM) radio broadcasting enterprises, ten licenses for community ( low power) frequency modulation (FM) radio broadcasting enterprises, and one license for community (low power) amplitude modulation(AM) radio broadcasting enterprise will be released.
NCC will review the application related materials in accordance with the Radio and Television Act and the Regulations for the Establishment of Radio Broadcasting Enterprises. According to the plan of the release, applications for regional radio broadcasting enterprises are reviewed prior to bidding while applications for community radio broadcasting enterprises are also reviewed prior to the drawing of lots in two phases.
NCC stated that radio broadcasting holds unique attributes, transmitting sounds instantly and can be adapted to suit people of various backgrounds or ages; it also offers a certain level of companionship and satisfies demands in local areas, such as in the preservation of local cultures and languages, as well as regional development and the provision of imparting warning messages during emergency situations.
For this release, current market conditions were considered along with the specific needs of local communities, such as the protection of youths, and local cultures, which were required to be included in the business plans of applicants. Applicants were also required to consider digital new media in the operation plan in order to bridge the future development and provide richer and more diverse services to the audiences, thereby boosting development of the broadcasting market.
