- Taiwanese WiMAX carrier Global Mobile obtained
the second WiMAX operating license in Taiwan on December 2, Central News
Agency of Taiwan reported. The license issued by the NCC (National Communications
Committee) enables Global Mobile to operate WiMAX services in northern Taiwan.
The company commenced pilot service in Hsinchu in early October and expects to
roll out commercial service by the end of 2009.
Of the six Taiwanese WiMAX licensees, Tatung
Telecom was the first to obtain the operating license. Thus far, Tatung Telecom
has launched services in Penghu County and Kaohsiung City. Following Global
Mobile, Far EasTone Telecom plans to start WiMAX service in Taichung,
central Taiwan, by the end of December this year. Both Vmax and Vee Telecom have
slated the commencement of service around the year-end, too. FITEL, meanwhile,
has not decided on a definite schedule due to financial difficulties.
- Sri Lanka Telecom's new WiMAX venture Sky Networks
plans to launch 802.16e WiMAX service in Sri Lanka, TeleGeography reported on
November 20. The project involves an investment of approximately US$12.8
million and will be implemented in four phases. Sky Networks is slated to
begin operations in March 2010. The first-phase WiMAX service is expected to
be available in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts.