According to a report by Taiwan's Economic Daily News on March 10, Taiwanese telecom operator Chunghwa Telecom plans to invest NT$46 billion (US$1.5 billion; US$1=NT$30.6) over the next five years in next-generation fiber-optic communications networks, in a bid to enhance Taiwan's broadband network infrastructure and meet the demands of the new Internet era.

The five-year investment is projected to help Taiwanese data communications equipment makers develop network access products, CPE (Customer Premises Equipment), and key components. Further expansion into overseas broadband network markets is also included in Chunghwa Telecom's five-year investment plan, with South East Asian countries such as Vietnam as the first-phase targets.

In addition, collaborating with the Taiwanese government, Chunghwa Telecom aims to boost Taiwan's broadband coverage rate to 80% by 2011, so as to upgrade Taiwan's data communications industry and improve the competitiveness of the country.