Chunghwa Telecom Co (
The state-run telecom operator's 3G services will be based on the widely-used wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) technology, Chang said.
WCDMA technology has been chosen by most GSM, or global system for mobile, technology-based operators in the world as they extend into the 3G market.
Chunghwa Telecom and its rivals are counting on new 3G services -- which allow faster Internet access and high quality data and video transmission -- to revive growth. Chang declined to specify what 3G services the company plans to offer.
But the industry is concerned about the availability of 3G handsets and the absence of killer applications, which may pose an obstacle to the popularity of 3G services.
"The lack of sufficient models supporting 3G services is expected to add extra difficulties for us to convince consumers to subscribe the data services," Chang said.
Chang's remarks came after Hong Kong's Hutchison-Whampoa Ltd said Wednesday it planned to launch its 3G services within a week. Hutchison's 3G Hong Kong debut has been delayed several times as its handset partner NEC couldn't develop 3G phones on time.
"Additionally, it's difficult to persuade handset makers to work with us to develop models tailored for Chunghwa Telecom's services because of the limited Taiwan market," he said.
If Chunghwa Telecom's rollout plan is realized as scheduled, the company will mark the second local mobile phone operator to provide 3G services after Asia Pacific Broadband Wireless Communications Inc (
Asia Pacific Broadband, which began providing 3G mobile services last July, uses CDMA 2000 technology to offer high-speed data and video transmission.
Asia Pacific originally planned attract 710,000 subscribers by the end of last year, but failed to achieve the goal, a company official said.
"The progress has lagged behind our expectations, but we'll try harder this year," Asia Pacific's marketing official Johansson Chou (
The company has shied away from giving specific information about its operation and subscriber base.
Asia Pacific initially offered customers the Samsung X789 handset for NT$20,500 and the SK Telecom AP1000 for NT$13,500, plus a two-year subscription. But in order to woo consumer interest, the company now offers the X789 handset for a price of NT$9,000 and the AP1000 model for NT$5,000.
Worried the huge price cuts in handsets may erose its profit margin, Samsung Electronics Co of South Korea, which provides X789 model for Asia Pacific, may be more cautious about deepening the partnership with Asia Pacific this year, a Samsung offical who preferred not to be named, told the Taipei Times on Wednesday.
To ensure a smooth rollout, Chunghwa Telecom plans to increase its handset subsidies to NT$5,000 for each from NT$2,500, said Shih Mu-piao (
The company is now testing both Nokia 7600 and Motorola A835 handsets for its WCDMA technology. The Nokia 7600 model, which supports 3G data services, is expected to hit the local market next month and will cost users NT$16,000, Shih said.
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