Chunghwa Telecom sees 3G subscribers rising to 2.2 million by the end of this year

February 5, 2007

Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom said it expects the number of its 3G mobile subscribers to rise to 2.2 mln by the end of 2007 from 850,000 last year.

"We are encouraging our existing second 2G users to migrate to the 3G service for the 2.2 mln goal," Shih Mu-biao, vice president of the company's mobile business group, said.

Currently, Chunghwa Telecom has 1.03 mln 3G subsbribers and some 7.5 mln 2G users.

The company had targeted 800,000 3G clients last year, but exceeded that figure due to intense promotional efforts, including the introduction of low-priced 3G cell phone models and subsidies for 3G customers.

A Chunghwa Telecom spokeswoman said the company will continue its 3G promotional campiagn this year, hoping it will benefit from a higher average revenue per user (ARPU) for 3G services.

At present, 3G ARPU is around 1,100 hkd, higher than the blended ARPU of 800 hkd for all cell phone services.

"We aim to launch more value-added services for 3G users to maintain the ARPU (level)," she said.