Michael Licata on January 4, 2010
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Global Mobile has officially launched a WiMAX network in Hsinchu City. It’s targeting users in the Hsinchu Science Park and other parts of the city.
Global Mobile is currently offering dongles and integrated access devices to users. The company will also include WiMAX-enabled notebooks soon. It plans to spend an additional TWD3 billion on WiMAX infrastructure over the next three years to it expands its service. The operator will widen its footprint to cover parts of Taipei City in first-quarter 2010.
Last week, Fitel, along with Motorola, has announced the building of base stations in Taiwan for deployment.… Read the rest
Michael Licata on January 4, 2010
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications in Taiwan has decided to stop granting WiMax licenses for at least the next two years. Experts believe this will lead to massive consolidation between the six licensed operators. Vee Telecom, Global Mobile, VMAX Telecom, Far EasTone, First International Telecom and Tatung InfoComm will combine in some way into one or two operators to offer island-wide WiMax services.
Its expected that some operators will sell shares to raise needed capital, estimated at around NT$3 billion ($93 million USD), for WiMax operations. It cost about NT $2 billion to bid for the original licenses.
Although some operators have kicked off their combination plans, they are not eligible to swap shares until they start offering services. The six licensed operators are estimated to begin exchange of shares in the second quarter of 2010 at the earliest as they are required to launch services no later than March.
The Ministry had wanted to grant more licenses in 2010, but after consulting the initial operators, the Ministry decided that more licenses would be more than enough for Taiwan. Senior officials noted that it will re-visit the policy after two years and it didn’t rule out the possibility of continuing the policy.… Read the rest
