NICTA destroys confiscated radios

 By GYNNIE KERO

THE National Information Communications and Technology Authority (NICTA) destroyed FM transistor radios worth tens of thousands of kina in Port Moresby last Friday.

NICTA enforcement and compliance manager Gabriel Nakau said the radios were considered illegal as they did not meet the country’s approved FM band.

He said the radios were imported mainly from China by Asian suppliers and distributors and widely sold throughout the country outside the PNG Spectrum Plan.

Nakau said the radios were capable of receiving unapproved radio communication signals between the frequency bands 68 MHz to 87.5MHz, which included bands exclusively used for police operations. 

PNG’s approved FM band for transistor radios is 88.0MHz to 108.0MHz.

Nakau admitted that NICTA did not have the manpower to carry out the operations, saying they had signed an agreement with Customs PNG to do inspections at the sea ports.

He said the haul included illegal two-way radios and other communications and electronic devices that were confiscated with the assistance of PNG Customs officials at entry points into the country, including Jackson International Airport.

He added that the centres covered by the operation were Port Moresby, Lae, Kokopo, Rabaul, Kiunga, Wewak, Vanimo, Popondetta, Alotau, Madang, Lorengau, Kavieng, Kimbe, Mt Hagen, Goroka, Kerowagi and Mendi.

“This is an expensive exercise costing NICTA approximately K500,000 to bring all the devices into Port Moresby,” Nikau said.

Last Friday, NICTA inspectors and National Capital District Commission (NCD) Waste Management officials destroyed a shipping container half-filled with illegal FM transistor radios and other electronic communication devices.

As the ICT industry’s watchdog, one of NICTA’s main functions is to approve and regulate the sale and use of radio communications equipment and devices in PNG. 

It is an offence to use, possess, import, sell or supply any unapproved apparatus, including transistor radio receivers that operate outside of the PNG Spectrum Plan, which is managed by NICTA.

Offenders face a fine of K10,000 and anyone who is deemed to have failed to comply is liable to pay an additional K10,000 per day for each day of noncompliance.