Police bust illegal radio, CB towers
THE National Police’s radio communications department and the Telecommunications Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) are investigating the installation of radio communication towers for walkie-talkies and other illegal broadcasting antennas in some areas of Phnom Penh, with the aim of pushing their owners to apply for proper licences.
National Police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun told The Post on May 4 that the department was investigating the walkie-talkie industry in the capital in a first-ever operation involving police coordination with the TRC.
Khoeun explained that this was not normally within the police department’s purview, rather it was considered the TRC’s jurisdiction – but the TRC requested the cooperation of the National Police’s radio communications department for this operation.
He added that they intended to crack down on all illegal or unlicensed radio businesses in the capital. At the same time, the joint forces will also instruct the owners on how they may apply for licences that would then allow them to continue to operate.
“I have not yet received a detailed report on this case because our colleagues are still working on it. But our radio police officers are already working on this operation,” he said. “The operation is mainly to instruct them on getting licensed – unless they are uncooperative or disorderly – and then we will follow the law.”
Department director Chhoeun Bunchorn said on May 4 that two days earlier on May 2, the department launched an operation in the vicinity of Tuol Tom Poung Market, which was still ongoing.
In addition to that operation, he said there were many twoway radio outlets in other areas of the city that were not properly licensed, but he could not confirm the exact number yet.
“We have set a goal and as of today we have completed about 50 to 60 per cent of it in the capital. After we finish with Phnom Penh we’ll do the same throughout the country, but this first operation is focused on the capital,” he said.
The Post attempted to contact the TRC for comment on this story on May 4, but has not yet received a response.