Only one unlicensed radio station was still on the air on Friday, following an aggressive crackdown by the National Communications Commission (NCC), an official said yesterday.
The statement by commission spokesperson Chen Jeng-chang (陳正倉) came after officials tracked and shutdown two unlicensed stations, one in Banciao City, Taipei County, and one in Pingtung County, on Tuesday and Saturday respectively.
Commission officials and police seized three radio transmitters and 28 pieces of other equipment during the raids, Chen said.
“The campaign to close down unlicensed radio stations is almost complete, with the exception of one station that is still on the air,” he said.
Prior to the start of the crackdown in February, it was estimated that there were about 190 unlicensed radio stations nationwide.
Chen urged the remaining operator to shut down its transmitter of its own accord, and said the commission would not let up until all illegal stations are closed.
As part of its campaign to prevent unlicensed radio stations from reopening, the commission said last week that it is in the process of amending the Telecommunications Act (電信法) to penalize people selling radio frequency devices to illegal radio operators.
In accordance with the draft amendment, anyone found to be engaging in such activities can be fined between NT$100,000 and NT$500,000, depending on the severity of the offense
Under the proposal, people purchasing radio frequency equipment would be required to provide a radio operation permit and a license, Chen said.
The draft measure should address the problem of underground radio stations once and for all, the spokesman said.
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