Taiwanese WiMAX licensee Global Mobile signed a memorandum of understanding with Chunghwa Telecom, Taoyuan County Government, and Industry Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs, on December 3. As per the agreement, Global Mobile will take over and commercialize Chunghwa Telecom's WiMAX trial network in Taoyuan, according to Economic Daily News of Taiwan.

Chunghwa Telecom, which did not obtain a WiMAX license, established the WiMAX trial network as part of the Taiwanese government's M-Taiwan Initiative. By year-end 2008 Chunghwa Telecom has deployed 30 WiMAX base stations, covering about one-fifth of Taoyuan's overall population, as well as 100 Wi-Fi hotspots for the trial network. The entire network will be transferred to Global Mobile in 2009, and the value of the deal will be decided upon later. Currently Chunghwa Telecom has a stake of around 11% in Global Mobile.

Following the network transfer, Global Mobile plans to commence WiMAX services in the second half of 2009. Global Mobile will choose from Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli for its service launch. In addition, Global Mobile has floated the first-phase equipment supply tender for an estimated value of NT$500 million (US$14.90 million; US$1=NT$33.56). It is expected that the tender results will be announced by year-end 2008.