Taiwanese Far Eastern Group announced on March 13 that it plans to integrate its three telecom affiliates, Far EasTone Telecommunications, New Century InfoComm Tech (Sparq), and Digital United (Seednet) into the Far Eastern Telecom Group, according to Taiwan's Commercial Times. Moreover, the company announced a capital spending of NT$10.4 billion (US$339.1 million; US$1=NT$30.6) in 2008 on boosting its NGN (Next Generation Network) operations, including 3.5G mobile telecom business and WiMAX technology and equipment.

The company has won a WiMAX license in the first half of 2007 and is currently working on WiMAX network deployment. By integrating its telecom affiliates, Far Eastern expects to focus on four integrated businesses: mobile phones, broadband, media and international services. Of the overall investment, NT$5 billion (US$163 million) will be injected into the construction of WiMAX network, and NT$700 million will be spent on WiMAX equipment procurement by year-end 2008. The rest will be used for upgrading the 3.5G network.