Taiwan's private fixed-line service firms saw brilliant 9-month revenue records

Taipei, Nov. 4, 2003 (CENS)--Taiwan's top three private providers of fixed-line telecom services reported combined revenues of NT$10.8 billion (US$318.6 million at US$1:NT$34) for the first three quarters of the year, soaring 57% from the comparable period last year.

In the meantime, the island's state-run Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. Saw its revenue for the same period edge down 0.4% from last year's NT$72.9 billion (US$2.14 billion) to NT$72.6 billion (US$2.13 billion).

Taiwan Fixed Network Co., Ltd., New Century InfoComm Co. and Eastern Broadband Telecommunication Co., Ltd. Scored impressive revenue gains despite a hard job in promoting their services including international connections, long-distance call and local linkage.

Totally, Chunghwa and the three private providers raked in revenue of NT$83.5 billion (US$2.45 billion) in the Jan.-Sept. period this year, a 4.6% gain from NT$79.8 billion (US$2.34 billion) they registered in the same period of last year.

Chunghwa lost not only in revenue but also in domestic market share, which slipped to 87% from 91.4% recorded in the same period of last year. Its three major rivals boosted their combined domestic market share to 13% from 8.6% for one year earlier.

In international-connection service, the three private providers had combined revenues of NT$8.48 billion (US$249.5 million) in the first three quarters, jumping 51.32% from NT$5.6 billion (US$165 million) scored in the same period of last year. In this sector, Chunghwa lost 2.3%, posting at NT$12.1 billion (US$357 million).

The three private providers reported total revenues of NT$1.07 billion (US$31.5 million) from long-distance services in the first three quarters this year, representing a sharp annual growth of 78.8% from NT$600 million (US$17.6 million). Chunghwa had NT$10.9 billion (US$322 million) in long-distance service revenue for the first three quarters, down 4.1% from the like period of last year.

In terms of local-call services, the three private firms scored revenue of NT$1.2 billion (US$37.5 million) in the first three quarters, soaring 89% from NT$674 million (US$19.8 million) of one year earlier. However, they have accounted for only 3% of the domestic market. Chunghwa saw its revenue from this sector inch up 1% to NT$49.5 billion (US$145.8 million).

As for ADSL (asymmetrical digital subscriber line) services, Chunghwa had 2.76 million subscribers as of late last quarter, increasing from 580,000 subscribers it signed up as of the end of last year's third quarter. The three private firms together recorded around 121,000 subscribers, a slight increase from last year's 120,000 subscribers.

Chunghwa reported 13.1 million subscribers of fixed-line telecom services as of the end of the third quarter of this year, 200,000 higher than one year earlier. The three private providers saw their total subscriber number increase to 184,000 as of the end of last quarter from 88,000 recorded one year ago.