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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Economy & Trade

NCC's operating budget fully cut; warns of indirect impact on public

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC) faces a severe funding cut, with its basic operating budget for August to December deleted from the central government's budget.
  • The NCC warned that this lack of funds could indirectly affect public interests, though it stated that product approvals like for new iPhones would not be immediately impacted.
  • The commission urged the legislature to pass the budget for the "Telecommunications and Broadcasting Supervision Fund," which is crucial for its core regulatory functions and public-facing services.

Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC) is facing an operational crisis after its basic administrative budget for August to December was entirely deleted from the central government's budget. The legislature recently passed the central government's budget after a 351-day delay, but the NCC's NT$57.82 million operational fund was removed.

the real world is not black and white, and neither are the trade-offs in it

— Wen Chun-yuWarning about the potential impact of budget cuts on public interests.

NCC Secretary-General Wen Chun-yu stated that these funds are essential for basic operations such as utilities, communication, rent, security, and maintenance. He warned that the inability to operate would "indirectly affect the rights and interests of the public." However, he assured that the approval process for telecommunications equipment, including new iPhones, would not be immediately affected as it is handled by accredited testing agencies.

the real world is not black and white, and neither are the trade-offs in it

— Wen Chun-yuAssuring that product approvals like for new iPhones will not be immediately affected.

The NCC is urging the Legislative Yuan to prioritize the budget for the "Telecommunications and Broadcasting Supervision Fund" for 2025. This fund, derived from fees collected from supervised entities, is critical for the commission's regulatory duties, research, development, and training. The commission fears that further "irrational" budget cuts could hinder its normal operations and its ability to serve the public.

the real world is not black and white, and neither are the trade-offs in it

— Wen Chun-yuUrging the legislature to pass the budget for the "Telecommunications and Broadcasting Supervision Fund."
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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