A lack of public familiarity with wireless local area networks (WLAN) is the major hurdle to the further growth of the sector, a market pundit said yesterday.
"About 80 percent of the people here don't understand what a wireless network is and how to use it," said Vita Teng (
It will take time to educate the public, and the market won't actually take off until next year, she said.
WLAN is a data communications system that enables users to connect to the Internet without cables. By using radio-frequency technology, users can transmit e-mail and browse Web sites via notebooks or personal digital assistants without hard-wire connections.
A network interface card must be installed on a PC and a password from the service operator is needed for the system to function.
Wireless networks are already in use at more than 400 locations in Taiwan, such as CKS International Airport, Taipei Sungshan Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport, Breeze Department stores (微風廣場) and the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Taipei (長榮桂冠).
Coffee shops such as Barista Coffee, Coffee Beans and Kohikan Coffee have begun offering the service. McDonald's Taiwan may also begin offering the service as well.
Eyeing potential market development, operators such as Yaw Jen Technology Co Ltd (
State-run telecommunications giant Chunghwa Telecom Co (
"We only charge NT$1 per minute for our wireless LAN service," Chunghwa said in a company statement last week.
On average, the rate for unlimited access to WLAN services is about NT$500 per month or NT$1.5 to NT$3 per minute.
Teng said Chunghwa's move is good news for the sector.
"As big players join the market with attractive prices, more users will have a chance to become exposed to the technology," he said.
Falling costs can also simulate market development.
"A network interface card that used to be priced at US$100 years ago is now available for US$60," said Hsu Kunag-cheng (
In addition, many notebook manufacturers such as IBM and Compaq regard network interface cards as standard components on their notebook PCs.
Teng said there is another major hurdle to overcome.
"With different companies issuing different passwords, users may have to switch their personal identity numbers from location to location," she said.
There are several operators providing services at CKS International Airport covering different sectors, forcing users that move from one terminal to another to use a new password.
"Soon we will discuss this problem with other companies," Hsu said.
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