Local cash-strapped mobile telecoms operator First International Telecom Corp (大眾電信) has signed a second contract with Motorola Inc to deploy a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network in Hsinchu, a joint statement released yesterday said.
First International Telecom plans to launch commercial high-speed mobile data services based on the 4G technology later this year after the WiMAX network is certified by the National Communications Commission (NCC) next month, the statement said.
That would make the telecoms company the last of the nation’s six WiMAX license holders to launch a service and meet the deadline set by the NCC.
First International Telecom held its first creditors’ meeting in October to discuss loan repayment and fund raising proposals after receiving the go-ahead for a restructuring plan submitted to the Taipei District Court in March 2008.
“High-speed mobile data services is a fast growing market for operators. The new mobile broadband network based on the WiMAX technology will enable First International Telecom to offer services such as mobile digital entertainment and low-cost broadband access,” company chairwoman Chang Min-yu (張敏玉) said in the statement.
Currently, First International Telecom provides mostly voice services for subscribers on short-range and lower-speed personal handphone systems wireless mobile technology.
Under the contract, Motorola will design, supply and deploy a WiMAX network for First International Telecom.
Motorola has also helped deploy WiMAX networks for three other operators, including Far EasTone Telecommunications Co Ltd (遠傳電信).
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