Subscription Pricing Model Will Alter With 4g: Industry

Smartphone users may be subject to revised subscription pricing models following the commencement of operations of the forthcoming fourth-generation (4G), announced Taiwan's leading telecoms carriers yesterday.

According to industry experts, telecoms carriers are poised to benefit from the expected surge in data usage volumes in the post-4G era, but most rely on the preceding 3G and 2G networks in offering voice calls.

Telecoms carriers yesterday also expressed an upbeat outlook on adopting the mobile broadband-enabled Voice over LTE (VoLTE) solution as an alternative. Companies stated that they are expecting the increase in mobile data transmission to offset the loss of revenue from voice calls following the introduction of VoLTE services.

VoLTE, a system that first saw implementation in South Korea, will also represent a boon to the number of new entrants to the telecoms sector, including a company backed by the formidable Hon Hai Precision Industry Co.

According to industry experts, regulations stipulate that market leaders are prohibited from refusing collaborative endeavors with newer entrants to the sector, allowing compensation for the lack of network infrastructure assets while providing adequate coverage to subscribers.

New entrants however, face the challenge of swiftly establishing a high standard of service...