TAIPEI, Taiwan-Taiwan plans to take third-generation license applications in the third quarter and award licenses by the end of the year. The regulator will issue five 3G licenses through an auction and review process.
The government said it will set a US$287.5 million minimum paid-in capital requirement for the 15-year licenses, along with a price payment plan requiring a 30-percent bid price upfront, 40 percent paid in five years and the remaining 30 percent paid in the following five years.
Public comments were due July 25. Licensees are required to begin service within six months of receiving a 3G license.
The country currently has eight mobile-phone operators.
