Broadband Demand, Competition, and Relevant Policy in Taiwan

Abstract

Taiwan has been making great efforts to promote the fulfillment of its National Information Infrastructure, with broadband network technology and its application having rapidly developed in recent years. In relation to the two major forms of broadband network technology, i.e. cable modem and ADSL, two MSOs, namely, Eastern Multimedia Company and Hoshin GigaMedia Center, Inc., provide broadband network via cable modem, and HiNet and Seednet are the major ADSL service providers. Three new fixed networks have offered ADSL services as well since they began their operations. There are 3.51 million households (HH), or 54.4% of the household population in Taiwan, using the Internet, and 2.5 million households, or 38.9% of the HH population, using broadband (TWNIC 2003). This paper analyzes the demand for broadband, the competition among providers of broadband, and relevant policies in Taiwan. The research methods adopted include a literature review, in-depth interviews, and a follow-up analysis of previous surveys conducted via the World Wide Web and by telephone.