Chunghwa Telecom is on track to launch 5G services in the third quarter of this year after the National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday approved its information security plan.
To offer 5G services, a telecom must submit a business plan and an information security plan, which must be approved by the telecommunications authority.
Chunghwa Telecom’s business plan was approved last week by the commission. It is the only telecom to have secured approval for both its 5G business and information security plans.
With the approvals, it can start preparing to launch 5G services.
The telecom’s information security plan was approved after it provided additional information on how it plans to gauge risks; enforce measures to safeguard and control information security; install infrastructure to protect information security; and detect potential threats within a specific time frame, as well as protect users’ personal data when implementing such measures, the commission said, adding that it would inspect the company’s 5G services based on these items.
Taiwan Mobile’s business plan has also been approved, the NCC said, but added that because the telecom had previously leased its 4G network to Asia Pacific Telecom without first seeking its permission — which resulted in each firm being fined NT$16.5 million (US$544,411 at the current exchange rate) — the approval came with several conditions.
Taiwan Mobile is required to focus on its capacity to handle consumer complaints in the initial stage of offering 5G services, the NCC said.
If it plans to share its core network with other telecoms, it should first file an application to change its business plan based on telecommunications regulations, the commission said, adding that subscribers using the same 5G network must be treated equally and must be clearly informed about the partnership in the user agreement.
If Taiwan Mobile wants to share its spectrum with other carriers, it must also file an application in advance, which has to be approved by the commission, it said.
The company is obligated to increase its network capacity if it proves inadequate to serve all subscribers, the commission added.
Taiwan Mobile has indicated that it would continue its partnership with Asia Pacific Telecom, which dropped out of the bidding for 5G spectrum in the 3.5 gigahertz frequency band, NCC spokesman Hsiao Chi-hung (蕭祈宏) said, adding that Taiwan Mobile’s information security plan was still under review.
Far EasTone Telecommunication’s business plan was approved last week, but it was asked to provide more information for its information security plan before a review could continue.
Asia Pacific Telecom and Taiwan Star have yet to secure approvals for their business and information security plans.
Separately yesterday, Television Broadcasts Satellite (TVBS) vice chairman Arthur Ting (丁廣鋐) told the NCC that the TV network has not held a board meeting in eight months, adding that he does not have any information about the network’s financial status or personnel changes.
Ting, who holds a 35 percent stake in the network, made the remarks in an interview with the agency’s commissioners, who are reviewing the network’s application for management change.
The agency quoted Ting as saying that he had recommended against TVBS chairman Chen Wen-chi (陳文琦) also assuming the position of president.
The network has two news channels, so it would be better to hire a professional as president, Ting was quoted as saying.
Ting also reportedly said that he agreed with the commission’s proposal that the network stipulate ethical guidelines for its newsroom.
Following the interview, the commission said it has asked TVBS to address three issues in written statements before it continues reviewing the management change application.
The network’s management came under public scrutiny because Chen, who is also chairman of VIA Technologies and is married to HTC founder Cher Wang (王雪紅), does not have experience managing a media organization.
The network was also asked to explain why it removed an interview with American Institute in Taiwan Chairman James Moriarty from its Web site after broadcasting it just once on cable TV before local elections in November 2018.
The Grand Hotel Taipei on Saturday confirmed that its information system had been illegally accessed and expressed its deepest apologies for the concern it has caused its customers, adding that the issue is being investigated by the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau. The hotel said that on Tuesday last week, it had discovered an external illegal intrusion into its information system. An initial digital forensic investigation confirmed that parts of the system had been accessed, it said, adding that the possibility that some customer data were stolen and leaked could not be ruled out. The actual scope and content of the affected data
‘LIKE-MINDED PARTNER’: Tako van Popta said it would be inappropriate to delay signing the deal with Taiwan because of China, adding he would promote the issue Canadian senators have stressed Taiwan’s importance for international trade and expressed enthusiasm for ensuring the Taiwan-Canada trade cooperation framework agreement is implemented this year. Representative to Canada Harry Tseng (曾厚仁) in an interview with the Central News Agency (CNA) said he was increasingly uneasy about Ottawa’s delays in signing the agreement, especially as Ottawa has warmed toward Beijing. There are “no negotiations left. Not only [is it] initialed, we have three versions of the text ready: English, French and Mandarin,” Tseng said. “That tells you how close we are to the final signature.” Tseng said that he hoped Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT: Japan and the US are expected to hold in-depth discussions on Taiwan-related issues during the meeting next month, Japanese sources said The holding of a Japan-US leaders’ meeting ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to China is positive news for Taiwan, former Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association representative Hiroyasu Izumi said yesterday. After the Liberal Democratic Party’s landslide victory in Japan’s House of Representatives election, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to visit the US next month, where she is to meet with Trump ahead of the US president’s planned visit to China from March 31 to April 2 for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平). Japan and the US are expected to hold in-depth discussions on Taiwan-related issues during the
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday bestowed one of Taiwan’s highest honors on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Ambassador Andrea Clare Bowman in recognition of her contributions to bilateral ties. “By conferring the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on Ambassador Bowman today, I want to sincerely thank her, on behalf of the Taiwanese people, for her outstanding contribution to deepening diplomatic ties between Taiwan and SVG,” Lai said at a ceremony held at the Presidential Office in Taipei. He noted that Bowman became SVG’s first ambassador to Taiwan in 2019 and
RSS