2014 Taiwan - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts

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Last updated: 30 Sep 2014 Update History

Report Status: Archived

Report Pages: 97

Analyst: Peter Evans

Publication Overview

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the trends and developments in telecommunications and digital media markets in Taiwan. Subjects covered include:

  • Key Statistics
  • Markets, Industry Overviews and Analysis
  • Regulatory Environment
  • Major Telecom Operators (Mobile, Fixed, Broadband)
  • Infrastructure, including NBN strategy
  • Mobile Voice and Data Markets
  • Scenario Forecasts (key market parameters);
  • Internet, VoIP, IPTV
  • Broadband (DSL, cable, FttX, wireless)
  • Digital Media

Researcher:- Peter Evans
Current publication date:- September 2014 (20th Edition)

Executive Summary

Following Taiwan’s strong embrace of 3G, CHT becomes first operator to launch 4G

Note: This report has had a broad update/revision of statistics based on statistical information available as of September 2014.

Taiwan has one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in Asia. Increasing land and labour costs have forced Taiwan to concentrate on technology, and it is now a leading high-tech centre in Asia Pacific. With excellent telecommunications infrastructure in place and the innovative use of breakthrough information technologies, the country continues to be well placed to drive both mobile and data communications services. Annual telecommunications service revenues are around NT$400 billion (US$12.5 billion) and investment in telecoms infrastructure remains substantial.

The Taiwanese market has rapidly become a significant player in broadband internet access. In 2013 the total broadband penetration had been lifted to over 100% when considering both fixed-line and mobile services. The proportion of the population who are internet users had reached 80% coming into 2014; at the same time, FttX connections have become the dominant form of access technology, with a rapid decline in DSL services in the last few years. Local operator CHT is leading the charge to offer 100Mb/s symmetrical broadband services to increasingly demanding subscribers.

The has been a rapid transition to 3G  with these subscribers accounting for almost 90% of the total mobile subscriber base by end-2013; in the meantime, strong smartphone adoption is driving data revenues, which are more than 35% of total telecom service revenues. The government initiated a process for awarding 4G licences. The spectrum auction took place in late 2013 with a view to completing the licensing followed by the commercial launch of 4G services in 2014. CHT launched the first 4G service in the country in mid-2104.

Market highlights:

  • Taiwan’s mobile operators had signed up more than 26 million 3G subscribers by mid-2014, accounting for almost 90% of all mobile subscribers;
  • By contrast to the rapid expansion of 3G, overall mobile subscriber growth had almost stalled;
  • Smartphone adoption remains strong and is driving higher ARPU in the market place;
  • Chunghwa Telecom’s Optical Era Project will see investment of US$1.8 billion to construct an island-wide fibre-optic network over five years. The company aims to have 97% of its broadband network capable of speeds over 100Mb/s by 2016;
  • WiMAX uptake remains slow; The Taiwanese government had commenced a program of investing NT$130 billion (US$4.3 billion) in smart power grid infrastructure;
  • Chunghwa Telecom launched its 4G/LTE network in June 2014, becoming the first operator in Taiwan to do so;
  • Analogue terrestrial television switch-off commenced in 2008 and was completed in 2012.

Data in this report is the latest available at the time of preparation and may not be for the current year

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