More than one CDMA licsence in Taiwan....
18 January 2000
The Taiwan government is considering awarding more than one
CDMA licence to cellular operators after criticism from rivals
that only awarding a CDMA licence to Chunghwa Telecom
(CHT), state-run phone company, as is currently planned, could
allow the company to monopolise third-generation services as
of 2003.
CHT is planning to launch its service in July 2001 and plans
eventually to use a 114 kbits/sec system. The company is
planning to launch the bidding process for a CDMA equipment
contract by end-January 2000.
Companies which have expressed an interest include Samsung,
LG, Alcatel, Hyundai, Motorola, Alcatel and Lucent.
Meanwhile, the government is planning to cut a planned CHT
overseas share offer to 12% of equity, vs a previously planned
19%, and raise foreign ownership of CHT to 30% from 20%
once privatisation is completed by end-2001.
Under the revised privatisation plan, a 33% stake will be sold by
end-2000, followed by a further 33% stake in 2001, thereby
reducing the government's stake to 34%. |
