The C5 block in the 1,800MHz spectrum continued to be the favorite on the second day of bidding for 4G telecom service licenses, with tender amounts topping NT$5.48 billion (US$184 million).
The National Communications Commission’s (NCC) auction has seven bidders contesting 10 frequency blocks in the 700MHz, 900MHz and 1,800MHz spectrums, namely Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, Far EasTone Telecommunication (FET), Ambit Microsystems Corp of Hon Hai Group, Asia Pacific Telecom and two management teams backed by Ting Hsin International Group and Shinkong Group.
The starting price for the C5 block, which contains 15MHz, was set at NT$3 billion, but shot up to NT$5.48 billion on the second day of the auction. It was also the only frequency block whose bidding price has gone up at each round.
The bidding price for the A4 frequency block in the 700MHz spectrum, the B3 block in 900MHz and the C1 to C4 blocks in the 1,800MHz spectrum remained unchanged
The A1, A2 and A3 blocks in the 700MHz spectrum as well as the B1 and B2 blocks in the 900MHz spectrum have yet to attract bids.
Commission spokesperson Yu Hsiao-cheng (虞孝成) said the battle over the C5 block was fierce because no carrier uses it at the moment, adding that the commission would reduce the percentage of increase in the bidding price at the end of each round to ensure that bidding does not overheat.
“Because of the cap of 35MHz, we can only speculate that bidders will compete for the most desirable blocks first. Everyone seems to be focusing on frequency blocks in the 1,800MHz spectrum because there is already telecommunications equipment for 4G service,” Yu said.
UPGRADE: The Kang Ding-class frigate is replacing its Chaparall missiles with Tien Chien II and Hua Yang VLS, which would provide it with long-range, 360° air defense Taiwan plans to produce 1,200 to 1,376 Hai Chien II missiles (海劍二, Sea Sword II) — also known as TC-2N — to serve as the standard air defense system of the navy’s surface combatant fleet, a source said yesterday. Last week, the Hai Chien II, the naval version of the Tien Kung II missile (天劍二, Sky Sword II), completed a live-fire test in waters off the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology’s Jiupeng facility (九鵬) in Pingtung County’s Manjhou Township (滿州). The MIM72 Chaparral and other dated air defense missiles that currently arm Taiwanese ships have inadequate range to combat Chinese
REASONS FOR TRAVEL: An assistant professor said that proposed amendments to penalize drivers if they used drugs overseas would not deter people from traveling People who operate a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana would have their driver’s license revoked, even if they used the substance while overseas, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday, citing proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例). The amendments would also authorize the government to revoke the licenses of people determined to have used Category 1 or Category 2 narcotics, even if they were not operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs, as well as ban them from taking the license test for three years, the ministry said. People aged 18 or
HEAVY WEATHER: Typhoon Jangmi is due to crash straight into the Ryukyus as airlines look to shift flights to larger aircraft or cancel flights to Okinawa entirely Taiwan’s international air carriers announced flight adjustments over the weekend as Typhoon Jangmi is forecast to hit the Ryukyu Islands today and tomorrow. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) upgraded Jangmi from a tropical storm to a typhoon at 8am yesterday, with the eye located 580km south of Naha city. It was moving north at 19kph. Today, China Airlines’ CI-120, CI-121, CI-122 and CI-123 flights between Taoyuan and Naha, Okinawa, have been canceled as well as CI-132 and CI-133 between Kaohsiung and Naha. EVA Air’s BR-112, BR-113, BR-186 and BR-185 flights between Taoyuan and Naha are also canceled. Low-cost carrier Tigerair Taiwan canceled IT-230,
Johanne Liou (劉喬安), a Taiwanese woman who shot to unwanted fame during the Sunflower movement protests in 2014, returned to Taiwan last night after being deported from the US. She is to stand trial in Taiwan for charges involving embezzlement, fraud and drug crimes. The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said it took her into custody at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and would first question her before transferring her to the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office. She was arrested upon disembarking a flight from San Francisco that landed shortly before 7pm. Liou absconded to the US in 2019 after jumping bail
RSS