The potential boycott of National Communications Commission (NCC) nominees by opposition lawmakers may disrupt the functioning of the regulatory body and could lead to delays in the launch of the iPhone 16 in Taiwan later this year, according to an official from the agency.
Last week, the Executive Yuan announced four nominees for the seven-member commission to replace outgoing commissioners whose terms are ending soon. Among the nominees are individuals proposed for key positions such as the chairman and vice chairman.
However, the approval process for these nominees has hit a roadblock as Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers rejected a bill aimed at advancing the government’s nominations for the NCC.
If the new commissioners are not appointed before the terms of the outgoing commissioners end, there could be a potential gap in the regulatory leadership. This could pose challenges for decision-making and the functioning of the commission, especially since a minimum number of commissioners is required to attend weekly meetings for the agency to issue rulings.
Moreover, the absence of a fully constituted commission could also affect the approval process for telecom products, including the iPhone 16. Any device with radio frequency functions, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, requires certification from the NCC before it can be sold in Taiwan. Without a quorum of commissioners, the process of approving these certifications could be delayed, impacting the launch of new products in the market.
The situation highlights the importance of ensuring a smooth transition of leadership within regulatory bodies to avoid disruptions in crucial decision-making processes and industry operations.
