The nation’s big three telecoms operators said they have garnered 600,000 4G subscribers and are mulling cutting prices to fend off competition from their recent rival Taiwan Star Telecom Corp (台灣之星).
On Monday, Taiwan Star unveiled a 4G package of NT$599 per month, which is half the price asked by existing 4G operators, who are charging their 4G subscribers at least NT$1,290 a month for unlimited data transmission for six months plus free calls.
COMPETITION
To cope with intensifying competition, Far EasTone Telecommunications Co (遠傳電信) said it would lower the prices of flagship handsets by HTC Corp (宏達電), Samsung Electronics Co and LG Electronics Co for its 4G subscribers by between NT$1,000 and NT$1,500 per unit.
Consumers will also receive a HTC One M8, or LG G3 handset by subscribing to Far EasTone’s 4G package by paying a minimal monthly fee of NT$1,399, the nation’s No. 3 telecoms company said in a statement. The company provides two years of unlimited bandwidth on its 4G network for subscribers.
USER SPREAD
Far EasTone has accumulated 200,000 4G users since its service launched in June.
Taiwan Mobile Co (台灣大) has seen the number of its 4G users rise above 192,000 people, while Chunghwa Telecom Co (中華電信) has accumulated 200,000 4G users since the launch of its 4G service at the end of May.
Aiming at taking 40 percent of the nation’s 4G market share, Chunghwa plans to cut its package prices next week, local media reported.
Chunghwa Telecom declined to comment.
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