Global Mobile Corp (全球一動) chairwoman Rosemary Ho (何薇玲) yesterday said the 4G operator’s efforts to clinch the distinction of being the world’s first WiMAX operator to offer mobile voice services over a 4G network have been deterred by the National Communications Commission (NCC).
Global Mobile filed its application to the nation’s telecom regulator to offer mobile voice services some time ago, and is still counting days for the approval, Ho told reporters.
“Initially we thought we would get the green light in July, but the waiting has entered into -December,” she said. “We went through the same process when applying for the 4G license, and now we’re going through it all over again for this mobile voice services application.”
The commission is evaluating, among other things, billing information (such as how Global Mobile is charging users and its profit-sharing models with other telecom operators) and testing their equipment and technology architecture, Global Mobile said.
According to Global Mobile chief information officer Wayne Sun (孫文中), US operator Clearwire has taken the lead by offering voice services over WiMAX for land-line phones, but Global -Mobile stands a great chance of being the world’s first to offer voice services over WiMAX for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets.
However, the commission rebutted Global Mobile’s claims, saying that the application was “formally received” on Nov. 4.
“Global Mobile has expressed interest since late last year, but the official application was only rendered last month,” said Liang Wen-hsing (梁溫馨), a senior engineer at the commission who is in charge of the case.
The commission has requested that Global Mobile supply extra information for the evaluation, and then equipment and software testing will follow after the firm complies with the request, Liang said by telephone.
Currently, Global Mobile has a small pool of 10,000-plus subscribers, which falls short of its target of 30,000 set early this year.
Ho said the number of users would get a boost if the commission approves the mobile voice application. Global Mobile aims to attract 160,000 new users next year and sets its sights on having a total of 250,000 users in 2012.
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