The president was reacting to the concern raised by Sen. Alfonso Diaz in his radio station that the bill could close his radio station down because of the strict policies introduced in the measure to regulate radio communications.
The president said the bill is meant to set up a comprehensive regulatory scheme for broadcasting in Palau.He added that it is meant to include the allocation of the radio communication spectrum, licensing of broadcasting, monitoring and employment.The 45-page piece of legislation stated that technological advances and increased number of users made it difficult to enforce due to the inherent limitations contained in the new law.The measure is aimed at establishing necessary government control over the import, sale, offer for sale, lease, offer for lease, manufacture, shipment, possession and use of radiocommunication equipment and radio frequency devices, and to provide for control of the use of, and for the management of, the radiofrequency spectrum.It added that the measure also encourages the use of efficient radiocommunication technologies so that a wide range of services of adequate quality can be provided and to provide an efficient, equitable and transparent system of charging for the use of spectrum, taking account of the value of both commercial and non commercial use of spectrum.“As our radio communications has grown with the sharp increase in the use of cellphones and new technologies our laws have fallen behind. We need a new law to keep the playing field fair for all competitors in the radiocommunication industry, so the investment and competition can guarantee the best services for our people,” Remengesau said.The president said that act is the product of our division of communication and addresses all the practical issues that the division faces.He added that the bill has been reviewed and edited by the United States telecommunication authorities to ensure that it will be in harmony with the Compact of Free Association.
