The National Communications Commission (NCC) said it is evaluating the possibility of reducing the gap between the service charge for fixed line telephones service and mobile services
Currently, calls from a cellphone are charged an average of NT$6 per minute, whereas a call made from a fixed line telephone costs NT$1.6 for three minutes.
As the largest telecom carrier in the nation, Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) accounts for approximately 90 percent of the fixed line market.
NCC spokesperson Chen Jeng-chang (陳正倉) said the current cellphone rates are unfair, as those rates fail to differentiate between long-distance and local calls.
“Cellphone users should pay a bit more for the service because it allows them to access phone service wherever they go,” he said. “The question we are asking here is whether there should be such a great difference between the mobile phone rate and the fixed line rate.”
Meanwhile, the NCC rejected a fixed line rate change proposed by CHT that would charge residents in Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and Wuchiu (烏坵) the same rates as those in Greater Tainan, Greater Kaohsiung, Taipei and Greater Taichung respectively.
The plan was proposed in accordance with a resolution passed by the legislature’s Transportation Committee, which said that outlying islands should be incorporated into the service areas in Taiwan proper and the rates should be changed accordingly and take effect on April 1 this year.
Chen said that the new rate plan only benefited those calling from outlying islands to the Taiwan.
“Suppose Taipei and Matsu are now in the same service area. Those calling from Matsu will be charged the rate for a local call, but those calling from Taipei will still be charged at the long-distance rates. Is that reasonable?” Chen asked.
The commission has asked CHT to propose an alternative plan.
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