Afghanistan’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA) has acquired a new radio spectrum monitor to curb illegal radio usage in the country. Funded by the World Bank at a cost of U.S. $1 million, the country’s Minister of Communications Amirzai Sangin said the launching of the mobile spectrum station will allow Afghanistan to monitor illegal frequency users and operators, who are operating without permission from the ministry. The minister also said that the quality of broadcasting of local TV, radio stations and GSM frequencies in Afghanistan can also be monitored from the mobile spectrum station. “Thus, we will be able to enhance the quality of the broadcasting of these stations and help their broadcasting problems,” the minister added. According to ATRA officials, the station can monitor and control radio frequencies from 20 MHz [sic, presumably 20 kHz] to 3000 MHz. The station can also simultaneously monitor and evaluate the frequency and provide a real check or monitoring report of evaluation. (Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)