Monday, November 12, 2007

NCC lowers capital threshold to facilitate entrance into Taiwan fixed-line telecom market

Kaddy Chung, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES [Friday 9 November 2007]

Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC) on November 8 finalized its plan to lower the required minimum paid-in capital for existing operators of fixed-line telecommunications and that of future operators in an aim to further liberalize the telecom market in Taiwan, according to the NCC.

The reduction of minimum paid-in capital applies to telecom operators under four types of fixed-line telecommunication licenses: general (can operate all kinds of services); local voice communications only; domestic long-distance voice communications only; international voice communications only; and leased submarine cables.

The plan will be matched with new regulations and the two together may come into effect in early 2008, the NCC indicated.

Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Fixed Network, New Century InfoComm Tech (Sparq) and Asia Pacific Telecom, the four existing general licensees, will benefit from the plan by being able to downsize their paid-in capital and then appropriate the funds for other purposes or return the funds to shareholders, the NCC pointed out. The plan will also help existing MSO (multi-system operators of cable TV) step into operation of local voice communication service, the NCC noted.

* W is the weight calculated as the proportion of the current Taiwan population for
the subject service area
Source: NCC, compiled by Digitimes, November 2007

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