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Vibo Telecom plans to boost revenue with data cards

Local mobile operator Vibo Telecom Inc (威寶電信) yesterday said it planned to launch high-speed 3.5-generation (3.5G) wireless data cards for laptop computer users next month as part of efforts to boost revenue.

With the 3.5G data card, computer users will be able to use higher bandwidth for wireless Internet access in urban areas, starting in locations including Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung and Kaohsiung, Vibo chief executive Chang Feng-hsiung (張豐雄) told reporters.

Vibo planned to sell its first 3.5G data cards by the end of next month, Chang said.

That would be part of a broader plan to boost revenues and subscriptions this year after Chang took the helm last December to turn around the unprofitable company.

The sale will come nearly a year after the launch of 3.5G data cards by the nation’s major telecom operators — including the nation’s biggest phone company, Chunghwa Telecom Co (中華電信) — as well as 3.5G mobile voice call and data transmission services.

Vibo is deploying its 3.5G base network and plans to add 1,100 base stations to its current 4,500 stations to optimize coverage, Chang said.

But Vibo has not set a timetable to offer 3.5G services on mobile phones, the company said.

It is hoping to expand its revenues to NT$6 billion, up 45 percent roughly from last year’s NT$4.15 billion. The company budgeted NT$2.4 billion for buying new equipment this year.

“Selling data cards is quite a good way to increase revenues for telecom operators and the business is becoming a new battle field for local players,” said Shih Mu-piao (石木標), a Chunghwa Telecom spokesman.

Chunghwa Telecom charges a flat rate of NT$850 a month for its 3.5G data card service, which is higher than the NT$800 average revenue per mobile user, he said.

Vibo’s cumulative losses from its establishment in 2000 until last year reached NT$10.94 billion.


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