El Caribe newspaper reports that the top priority for Indotel, the Institute of Telecommunications, is the installation of the new rural telephone system. Orlando Jorge told the newspaper that in 2001, his department would work hard to reorganize the radio frequencies, especially seeking to resolve the chaos of 22 stations transmitting along the 27 de Febrero Avenue. The radio stations have located their transmitters along the avenue because it is regarded as the highest point in the city. The excess of transmitters, though, has resulted in major interference among one and another. Jorge told El Caribe that there are approximately 400 radio stations in the DR, operating either legally or illegally. He announced his department would hold contests and tenders in 2001 to increase state revenues for the operation of the stations. He said this new practice would also put a stop to the proliferation of stations. In the DR, the government is the owner of the airwaves. He said, "There is much disorder, that cannot continue. He also commented tha the DR has more television stations than Europe all together." Orlando also announced that his department is preparing a ruling to put a stop to the unchecked practice of telephone interference and espionage. The ruling would enable affected parties to take suspect cases of espionage to court.
