Taiwan's NCC (National Communications Commission) announced on July 26 the list of six companies awarded licenses to operate WiMAX services. PHS (Personal Handyphone System) operator First International Telecom, Global On, and Wei Mai Si Telecom, a Tecom-Vibo joint venture, won the licenses for WiMAX operations in northern Taiwan. Far EasTone Telecom, Tatung, and Vestar Cable TV System obtained the licenses to operate WiMAX in southern Taiwan. The terms of the tender stipulate that the six winners must begin operations by the second half of 2009 at the latest. The NCC is scheduled to release one or two nationwide licenses in 2009.