Taiwan's NCC (National Communications Commission) revealed that five WiMAX licensees, including Far EasTone Telecom, Fitel, Global Mobile, Vastar Cable TV System, and Vmax Telecom, have petitioned for permission to postpone the completion of network construction, Taiwan's NOWnews reported on December 26. The only exception is Tatung InfoComm, which still plans to commence WiMAX services in early 2009 as planned.

As the five operators obtained WiMAX licenses in October 2007, it was stipulated that they would have to finish network deployment by March 31, 2009. However, pursuant to NCC's regulations, WiMAX licensees are entitled to request one-year postponement. Therefore, said operators will have to complete network deployment by the end of March 2010 at the latest.

Although having petitioned for permission to push back the deadline, Global Mobile reiterated the company's determination to launch WiMAX services in northern Taiwan in the third quarter of 2009 as scheduled, according to a December 26 report by ZDNet.