Synopsis
Taiwan has moved energetically into the ‘next generation’ of mobile technology and services over the past decade and towards end 2011, penetration had passed the 120% mark. Following the launch of 3G services in 2003, the market took over three years to reach the ‘one million subscribers’ but increasing competition and increasing handset and applications availability put the market into overdrive. Going into 2012 there were close to 20 million 3G subscribers, making up over 70% of the total mobile subscriber base. This report provides an overview of the mobile market as well as industry level and operator level statistics on subscribers, market share and ARPU. Total mobile and 3G subscriber forecasts and penetration levels to 2016 are included.
Key Developments:
A highly penetrated market continues to see operators introducing value-added, higher-margin products; 2G mobile licences in 900MHz and 1800MHz spectrum set to expire in 2012 and 2013 respectively; CHT leads market share in terms of total subscriber base; 3G market shows heightened competition; mobile broadband driving more vibrant online commerce, entertainment and advertising to 2015 and in particular mHealth; introduction of NFC payments; moves by WiMAX operators to convert licenses to LTE; LTE licensing to take place in 2014 at the earliest leaving Taiwan as the only major market without LTE services in Southeast Asia for the next few years.
Companies covered in this report include:
Chunghwa Telecom (CHT); Far EasTone; Taiwan Mobile; Asia Pacific Broadband Wireless (APBW); Vibo Telecom.
