Ma promotes 4G telecom technology

2014-07-31

President Ma Ying-jeou said the government is prioritizing promotion of fourth-generation telecommunications technology to meet growing demand for broadband mobile access while assisting related Taiwan sectors deliver more value-added services.

“The development and application of mobile telecoms technology will provide more convenient cloud services and digital life for the people,” Ma said. “And at the same time, it will spur economic growth for Taiwan.”

The president made the remarks at a speech opening a 4G telecom technology forum in Taipei City. The one-day event was organized by local newspaper Economic Daily News with support from Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd., Industrial Technological Research Institute and Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).

According to Ma, 4G technology plays a key role in the country’s comprehensive development, and is one of the eight visions outlined in his Golden Decade blueprint for national development unveiled in 2010.

“Mobile telecommunications are a key market for services providers, network and terminal equipment manufacturers. In particular, high-speed broadband access is the infrastructure supporting development of a wide range of other industrial sectors and services.”

Citing official statistics, Ma said Taiwan began developing mobile telecoms services in 1996, and as of May, its monthly third-generation data traffic reached 51.6 million gigabytes, or 2.5 percent of the global total.

To meet the surging demand for more advanced mobile access, the government issued operation licenses for 4G services in October 2012 and has offered 270 MHz in bandwidth so far, with another 370 MHz set for release by 2018.

In addition to strengthening requisite infrastructure, content development is also a policy priority, Ma said, adding that the Cabinet passed a bill fast-tracking promotion of mobile broadband services in June.

These efforts will see the coverage ratio of 4G services in Taiwan top 90 percent by 2017, with the total number of subscribers reaching 10 million. Other policy goals include developing more digital content services, innovative business models and broadband applications for smart cities.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=220138&CtNode=413)