Watchdog considers bolstering the law to deter providers of illegal call services
The telecommunications watchdog is considering tougher penalties on providers of illegal international direct dialling (IDD) services that circumvent local access charges - a fee that generates about $500 million a year for fixed-line operators.
Office of the Telecommunications Authority (Ofta) assistant director Ha Yung-kuen said the number of illegal IDD providers had increased significantly this year, but the complex prosecution procedures and low level of fines made it difficult to stop the activity.
In the first four months of this year, Ofta raided and terminated 2,833 lines offering such services, compared with 2,268 lines last year.
Unlicensed persons providing illegal IDD services are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and five years' jail.
Last year, Ofta successfully prosecuted just four cases, with fines imposed by courts totalling $20,000.
Ofta is reviewing the issue and is in talks with the Justice Department on whether the government should impose heavier fines on people who break the law.