Users of mobile phones that do not support voice over long-term evolution (VoLTE) technology might need to update their phones as the nation is to shut down 3G voice service on June 30, the National Communications Commission (NCC) said yesterday.
The government terminated 3G data service in 2018 after migrating to 4G, but kept 3G voice service as the VoLTE technology was not yet mature.
More than 28 million kilowatt-hours of electricity would be conserved if the nation’s major telecoms — Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and Far EasTone Telecommunications — shut down the 3G network completely, the commission said.
Photo: Fang Wei-chieh, Taipei Times
This would in turn curb carbon emissions by approximately 142,000 tonnes, which is equivalent to the reduction possible by having 373 Daan Forest Parks (大安森林公園) in Taipei, it said.
Once the 3G voice system is shut down, people can only access data and voice services through 4G or 5G networks, the commission said, adding that users must ensure that their cellphones and SIM cards support 4G, 5G and VoLTE systems.
If the phones are too old or have yet to secure type approval from the NCC, users cannot communicate through the VoLTE network, which includes emergency hotlines 110, 119 or 112, the commission said.
Users can ascertain whether their mobile phones or SIM cards allow them to access VoLTE service by visiting their service provider’s Web site, their retail stores or calling their customer representatives, it said.
The commission also produced a commercial featuring NCC Chairman Chen Yaw-shyang (陳耀祥) to inform the public about the policy change.
“Telecoms would notify users through text messages and outbound voice calls. After receiving the message, users should visit their telecom’s retail stores for free SIM card replacement. If there are problems related to the 3G network shutdown, people can also contact their provider through its toll-free customer service number. They must also be vigilant to prevent malicious people from using their information to commit fraud,” he said.
Taiwan yesterday condemned the recent increase in Chinese coast guard-escorted fishing vessels operating illegally in waters around the Pratas Islands (Dongsha Islands, 東沙群島) in the South China Sea. Unusually large groupings of Chinese fishing vessels began to appear around the islands on Feb. 15, when at least six motherships and 29 smaller boats were sighted, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said in a news release. While CGA vessels were dispatched to expel the Chinese boats, Chinese coast guard ships trespassed into Taiwan’s restricted waters and unsuccessfully attempted to interfere, the CGA said. Due to the provocation, the CGA initiated an operation to increase
CHANGING LANDSCAPE: Many of the part-time programs for educators were no longer needed, as many teachers obtain a graduate degree before joining the workforce, experts said Taiwanese universities this year canceled 86 programs, Ministry of Education data showed, with educators attributing the closures to the nation’s low birthrate as well as shifting trends. Fifty-three of the shuttered programs were part-time postgraduate degree programs, about 62 percent of the total, the most in the past five years, the data showed. National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) discontinued the most part-time master’s programs, at 16: chemistry, life science, earth science, physics, fine arts, music, special education, health promotion and health education, educational psychology and counseling, education, design, Chinese as a second language, library and information sciences, mechatronics engineering, history, physical education
The Chinese military has boosted its capability to fight at a high tempo using the element of surprise and new technology, the Ministry of National Defense said in the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) published on Monday last week. The ministry highlighted Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) developments showing significant changes in Beijing’s strategy for war on Taiwan. The PLA has made significant headway in building capabilities for all-weather, multi-domain intelligence, surveillance, operational control and a joint air-sea blockade against Taiwan’s lines of communication, it said. The PLA has also improved its capabilities in direct amphibious assault operations aimed at seizing strategically important beaches,
‘MALIGN PURPOSE’: Governments around the world conduct espionage operations, but China’s is different, as its ultimate goal is annexation, a think tank head said Taiwan is facing a growing existential threat from its own people spying for China, experts said, as the government seeks to toughen measures to stop Beijing’s infiltration efforts and deter Taiwanese turncoats. While Beijing and Taipei have been spying on each other for years, experts said that espionage posed a bigger threat to Taiwan due to the risk of a Chinese attack. Taiwan’s intelligence agency said China used “diverse channels and tactics” to infiltrate the nation’s military, government agencies and pro-China organizations. The main targets were retired and active members of the military, persuaded by money, blackmail or pro-China ideology to steal
RSS