Although 5G services have been available in Taiwan since June 2020, nearly 70 percent of mobile phone users still subscribe to 4G services, data from the National Communications Commission (NCC) showed.
As of June 30, the nation had about 29.73 million mobile phone users, with about 69 percent using 4G services. Users of 5G services only accounted for 31 percent.
There was also a significant disparity in the adoption rate after the respective services were launched.
Photo: CNA
After 4G services became available in 2014, the penetration rate topped 95 percent within just three years.
However, the penetration rate of 5G services remains about 35 percent four years after they were launched.
A survey conducted by the NCC found that people did not migrate from 4G to 5G mainly because their need to access mobile Internet services can be sufficiently met using 4G.
Some said the monthly fees for 5G services are higher than those of 4G services, while others said 5G technology has yet to mature.
Monthly fees for 4G services vary from NT$199 to NT$599, and subscribers can access unlimited Internet services at 21 megabits per second (Mbps) by paying only NT$499 per month.
Monthly fees of 5G services range from NT$599 to NT$2,699, allowing users to access high-speed Internet services at 500Mbps to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps).
However, to access unlimited Internet services, 5G users would need to pay at least NT$1,399 per month.
A woman surnamed Kuo (郭) said she only pays about NT$200 per month for 4G service because she texts and calls people mostly through the mobile messaging app Line, and can access WiFi at home and her office.
Upgrading to 5G would be unnecessary, she said.
A man surnamed Lin (林), who likes to binge-watch TV series, said it is better to subscribe to broadband services and watch TV series on television screens than upgrade to 5G and watch on mobile phones.
Another man surnamed Hsu (許) said his decision to upgrade to 5G paid off, as he can access more stable and faster Internet services on his cellphones whenever he is in a crowded area, unlike his friends who use the 4G system.
Due to the lack of consumer demand, 5G is mainly used at the business-to-business and vehicle-to-everything level, NCC Chief Secretary Huang Wen-je (黃文哲) said.
“We hope that businesses develop more consumer-oriented applications and offer more monthly plan options,” he said.
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