Kaddy Chung, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES [Monday 28 January 2008]
Vibo Telecom, one of the five operators of 3G mobile communication services in Taiwan, expects the revenues from its 3G services to increase to NT$5.9 billion (US$182 million) in 2008, double that of the NT$2.94 billion posted in 2007, according to the company while personal handy-phone system (PHS) operator First International Telecom (Fitel) seeks more investment from abroad.
In line with its revenue goal, Vibo expects its number of its 3G subscribers to increase by 600,000 in 2008 and accordingly will expand the number of its 3G base stations from about 4,000 currently to 5,050 at the end of 2008 and procure 500,000-600,000 3G handsets, the company pointed out. Vibo currently has more than 600,000 3G subscribers.
Fitel, the only operator of PHS mobile communication services in Taiwan and a WiMAX licensee for the northern region of Taiwan, is seeking foreign shareholders to invest a total of US$60 million, according to the company. A few potential overseas investors are performing due diligence checks and are expected to make their decisions as early as March, the company pointed out.
