Fourth-Generation Technology at a Crossroads: WiMAX or LTE?

September 2008

Taiwan's three dominant mobile operators have confirmed plans to incorporate Long-Term Evolution into their second-generation and third-generation systems. However, the government and network-equipment manufacturers still seem positive about the prospects for the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access industry. There is thus uncertainty as to which technology will ultimately prevail.

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NCC Bans WiMAX Business Spin-Off

August 2008

The National Communications Commission has rejected an application by First International Telecom, one of the six WiMAX licence holders and the only personal handy-phone system operator in Taiwan, to spin off its WiMAX business from its personal handy-phone system operation to its wholly owned subsidiary.

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New NCC Commissioners Appointed

July 2008

The Legislative Yuan recently approved the nominations for the next term commissioners of the National Communications Commission (NCC). Although some critical issues regarding the NCC Organization Act were resolved in 2007, several problematic issues concerning the organization and functions of the NCC remain to be dealt with. Therefore, the NCC has published proposed amendments to the act.

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M-Taiwan Project WiMAX Base Stations to be Commercialized

July 2008

To facilitate the network deployment of Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), the National Communications Commission is currently amending the Regulations on Wireless Broadband Access Services in order to allow WiMAX licensees to obtain the experimental base stations that are part of the Mobile Taiwan National Project.

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Three Companies Appointed to Provide Universal Data Services

June 2008

Following the completion of its 2007 Broadband Access to Every Village project, the National Communications Commission (NCC) is aiming to extend the construction of the broadband network infrastructure to further remote areas in 2008. The NCC has appointed three companies to offer universal data services for broadband access to 50 mountain villages in 12 different counties.

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No ITS Pricing Rights for Chunghwa Telecom until 2010

May 2008

Although the Internet Telephony Service (ITS) was opened up to operators in 2005, to date no licensed ITS providers have launched their services due to ongoing negotiations of network interconnection agreements with Chunghwa Telecom. In order to introduce competition into the market, the National Communications Commission has ruled that Chunghwa will have no pricing rights on the ITS until the end of 2010.

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Price-Cutting Policy Enters Second Year

May 2008

Taiwan's mobile operators are required to reduce certain primary tariff plans by at least 4.88% each year under a three-year mandatory price-cutting plan. The National Communications Commission recently approved the cuts for mobile services and asymmetric digital subscriber line services for 2008. Ostensibly designed to benefit consumers directly, the policy's real intention seems to be to stimulate competition.

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Detailed Separate Accounting to Be Implemented

March 2008

In order to comply with the adjustment of the value of the Production Efficiency Index in the price cap formula, the National Communications Commission is to implement a new accounting rule providing for detailed separate accounting for the telecommunications industry. The rule will be applied retroactively to cover financial statements and other reporting materials from 2006 onwards.

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Congress Amends the Formation of National Communications Commission

February 2008

After mutual concessions by the ruling and opposition parties, the Taiwanese Congress (the Legislative Yuan) passed the Amendment to Article 4 of the National Communications Commission (NCC) Organization Act on December 20 2007. The amendment, which became effective from January 9 2008, dramatically changes the formation of the NCC and the manner in which commissioners are nominated.

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NCC Completes Broadband Project in Remote Villages Ahead of Time

January 2008

The National Communications Commission (NCC) has announced its completion of the Broadband Access to Every Village project, which was designed to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural areas, following the NCC's amendment of the Regulations Governing the Telecommunications Universal Service in December 2006 to incorporate broadband internet access within the scope of the universal service.

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Price of Local-to-Mobile Calls to Drop Substantially

January 2008

The National Communications Commission (NCC) has decided to shift the right to determine the price of local-to-mobile calls from the termination side (ie, mobile operators) to the originating side (ie, fixed network operators) from January 1 2011. However, the NCC has also ordered the local phone division of Chunghwa Telecom to reimburse mobile operators for the revenue loss caused by the shift.

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