Operators of 2G telecoms services will be able to continue offering the service until 2017, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday.
The government had issued eight 2G global system for mobile communications (GSM) licenses after it amended the Telecommunications Act (電信法) in 1996, allowing operators to offer the service for 15 years. The licenses will expire either next year or in 2013.
As telecoms carriers encourage users to switch to 3G services and gear up for the introduction of 4G services, the number of 2G users has fallen sharply.
Nonetheless, “the nation still has approximately 7.9 million 2G users,” said Deng Tien-lai (鄧添來), director-general of the ministry’s Department of Posts and Telecommunications.
“To ensure a smooth transition to new generation services as well as to protect the interests of 2G users, the government will allow 2G operators to renew the license once again and continue offering the service until 2017,” Deng said.
He added that the Executive Yuan had approved the ministry’s proposal to consolidate the radio frequencies previously assigned to 2G and some of the fragmented frequencies surrounding them.
Deng said that licenses to use these frequencies would be released by the National Communications Commission before July 2015.
Operators will be granted a “technology-neutral” license, allowing them to offer 2G, 3G or next-generation services, he said.
Wang De-wei (王德威), deputy director of the commission’s operational management department, said 2G operators must bid and acquire the technology-neutral licenses if they want to offer 2G services after the current licenses expire in 2017.
Those who fail to acquire a new license must return the frequencies to the government, he said.
Deng said the technology-neutral licenses would give operators more flexibility in using the frequencies.
He added the commission could consider taking actions to encourage operators to return the frequencies, including raising the frequency use fee.
Taipei has once again made it to the top 100 in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025 report, moving up five places from last year to 60. The annual index, which was published last month, evaluated 1,000 of the most populated metropolises based on five indices — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. New York maintained its top spot this year, placing first in the economics index thanks to the strength of its vibrant financial industry and economic stability. Taipei ranked 263rd in economics, 44th in human capital, 15th in quality of life, 284th for environment and 75th in governance,
The Sports Administration yesterday demanded an apology from the national table tennis association for barring 17-year-old Yeh Yi-tian (葉伊恬) from competing in the upcoming World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash tournament in Las Vegas this July. The sports agency said in a statement that the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association (CTTTA) must explain to the public why it withdrew Yeh from the WTT tournament in Las Vegas. The sports agency said it contacted the association to express its disapproval of the decision-making process after receiving a complaint from Yeh’s coach, Chuang
Control Yuan Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) tendered his resignation last night, admitting that he had misused a government vehicle, as reported by media. His resignation was immediately accepted by the Control Yuan. In a statement explaining why he had resigned, Lee apologized for using a Control Yuan vehicle to transport his dog to a pet grooming salon on May 20. The issue first came to light late last month, when TVBS News reported that Lee had instructed his driver to take the dog to the salon. The news channel broadcast photos that it said were taken by an unnamed whistle-blower, which purportedly showed the
Democratic Progressive Party caucus chief executive Rosalia Wu, front, grabs the pennant in a dragon boat race hosted by Qu Yuan Temple in the Shuanghsi River in Taipei’s Beitou District yesterday.
RSS