25 April 2008
Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed it is drafting plans to transfer the WiMAX experimental base stations installed under the government initiated Mobile Taiwan (M-Taiwan) Program to licensed WiMAX operators for commercial use.
A number of companies have participated in the M-Taiwan Program, which aims to build a boundless Internet communication network on the island, but have failed to secure operating licenses. Such companies include Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) and Taiwan Mobile.
There are also companies such as Global Mobile, which did not participate in the M-Taiwan program but have obtained a license to provide WiMAX services.
In order to allow all related companies to share resources and avoid the waste of equipment, the NCC is to coordinate with related government agencies to set up a working group to help complete the transfer of related equipment. If necessary, the NCC will amend the criteria governing the management of wireless access business to help facilitate the transfer, the NCC added.
Under the M-Taiwan Program, a total of 78 experimental WiMAX base stations were set up on the island, with 46 located in northern Taiwan and 32 in southern Taiwan. In addition, 112 terminal-end equipment systems were installed, according to NCC data.
Four out of the six WiMAX licensees – Far EasTone Communications (FET), Tatung Telecom, WiMAX Telecom, and First International Telecom (Fitel) – took part in the M-Taiwan Program, either by themselves or through their parent companies.
The NCC also noted that the experimental WiMAX networks will expire by the end of of 2008 without further extension.
