A move by Taiwan’s telecoms regulator, the National Communications Commission (NCC), to block Chunghwa Telecom from making an investment in WiMAX licensee Global Mobile has been halted by the country’s appeals committee. The NCC said earlier this year that Chunghwa could not take a stake in Global Mobile, but that ruling has now been overturned. Chunghwa, which is Taiwan’s dominant fixed line and wireless operator, will not be able to take more than 15% of Global Mobile, however. Global Mobile is one of six firms to hold regional WiMAX licences in Taiwan; Chunghwa did not win WiMAX spectrum in the 2007 auction.
Separately, chip manufacturer Intel has invested TWD386 million (USD11.5 million) in another Taiwanese WiMAX licensee, Vmax Telecom. An Intel statement said: ‘Intel Capital’s intended investment and Intel’s accompanying business engagement will enable Vmax to deploy Taiwan’s first mobile WiMAX network, intended to be commercially available within the first half of next year.’ Vmax Telecom is a joint venture between equipment vendor Tecom and 3G cellular operator Vibo Telecom.