Taiwan to produce over 10 million mobile phones in 2000
Industry News Posted: Feb. 11, 2000
TAIPEI? The Computer & Communications Research Laboratories (CCL) of the government-backed Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has forecast that Taiwan will produce over 10 million mobile phones this year, valued at $587.09 million.
According to CCL's study, Taiwan began ramping up production of mobile phones last year. Output hit 2.8 million handsets last year for a total revenue of $116.12 million). In 1998, it produced only about 35,000 mobile phones valued at around $6.12 million.
Most local producers make single-band GSM handsets. Some have also developed dual-band units, and others are developing 2.5-gigabit models. GSM handsets have a maximum bandwidth of 1.2 gigabits.
GVC, DBTel, and Acer Peripherals are among the local firms producing 2.5-gigabit phones. DBTel is contracted by Motorola to produce handsets in Shanghai. Acer and GVC run production at home. All three firms are expanding capacity, following booming demand, a trend that should greatly push up local production this year.
Around 10 local producers, such as Trinity Communications, Cherish, Arima Computer, Compal Electronics, Kinpo Electronics, Quanta Computer and Invetec have recently started developing mobile phones.
Some manufacturers have also begun developing CDMA phones. Acer and First Computer are working with Qualcomm to develop these phones. GVC and Compal will begin producing CDMA phones this year in cooperation with South Korean manufacturers.
Mobile phone ownership in Taiwan has increased sharply since 1997. Thanks to fierce rate slashing and a broader range of services, Taiwan had an estimated 10 million subscribers last year, representing half of the island's some 20 million population. CCL forecasts that the number of mobile phone subscribers will surpass fixed-line subscribers this year. |
